Turmeric is a powerful spice with anti-inflammatory properties and a list of other health benefits. Try these 20 turmeric recipes for a major health boost!
If you’re a newbie, turmeric is the main spice in curry powder. It’s the one that gives it its golden-yellow color. Turmeric has been used for its medicinal properties for ages in India, but it’s recently catching on in the West. Turmeric has a long list of powerful health benefits, and there are countless delicious turmeric recipes to choose from.
Benefits of turmeric:
- Fights inflammation, which helps prevent and fight disease, arthritis, and even depression
- Strong antioxidant
- Boosts brain hormones
- May help lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and even Alzheimer’s
- Improves digestion and detoxifies the liver
With all its benefits, turmeric is an excellent ingredient to incorporate into your cooking. Here are my top 20 anti-inflammatory turmeric recipes!
You can also read about how to use turmeric as a natural remedy for cold and flu season in my post!
Drinks with Turmeric Recipes
Golden Turmeric Latte aka “Golden Milk”
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)
From Paleo Hacks
“Golden milk” or “turmeric lattes” are growing in popularity. They are known to help “calm the brain, balance the hormones, and naturally promote calm and a good night’s sleep,” (Integrative Nutritional Therapies). You can drink them any time of day, up to four times a day.
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)
From Nourish Wild
Water, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, honey, and lemon juice make up this anti-inflammatory, soothing tea. If you’re feeling bold I’d recommend adding a bit of black pepper. It helps your body absorb the nutrients in the turmeric.
Turmeric Ginger Lemonade with Mint
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)
From Cotter Crunch
This turmeric lemonade is a perfect refreshing and beneficial drink with tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors. It’s made with lemon, turmeric, ginger, fresh mint leaves, and maple syrup or honey.
Turmeric Chai Latte
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)
From Kiddielicious Kitchen
This chai is free of caffeine but full of flavor, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. It’s made with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla.
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric and Ginger Smoothie
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)
From Spinach 4 Breakfast
This smoothie is made with banana, almond milk, peaches, and spices with all kinds of benefits.
Iced Turmeric Green Tea
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan-friendly)
From Eat Well 101
If it’s blazing hot or you prefer to drink your tea iced, this one’s for you. It’s made with water, ginger, turmeric, a green tea bag, salt, and honey.
A little tip: When you pour your hot tea over the ice, put a metal spoon in the glass, then pour the tea slowly onto the end of the spoon, running down into the glass. The spoon will absorb much of the heat. This will keep your ice from melting as much! Watch out though, the spoon gets really hot and can be difficult to hold. Switch spoons if you need to.
Food Turmeric Recipes
Soup Turmeric Recipes
Anti-Inflammatory Broccoli, Ginger and Turmeric Soup (Slow Cooker)
(gluten-free)
From Sweet Peas and Saffron
To me, creamy broccoli soup is an ultimate comfort food. But this one has wholesome ingredients! You’ll need a slow cooker for this turmeric recipe.
Turmeric & Coconut Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)
From Emily Kyle Nutrition
This butternut squash bisque is another comforting and delicious soup made with coconut milk!
Chicken Turmeric Recipes
Mediterranean Roast Chicken with Turmeric and Fennel
(paleo-friendly, gluten-free)
From The Mediterranean Dish
This gorgeous dish is packed with flavor. Leave out the brown sugar and sub in chicken stock for the white wine if you want it to be paleo.
Snacks with Turmeric Recipes
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Date Balls
(gluten-free, vegan)
From Spinach 4 Breakfast
These little beauties are made with just 4 ingredients: turmeric, walnuts, oats, and dates, and can be ready in minutes.
Lemon Turmeric Energy Balls
(gluten-free, vegan)
From Natalie’s Food & Health
Ready in 10 minutes, these wholesome snack energy balls are energizing and full of flavor.
Side Dishes
5-Ingredient Lemon Turmeric Quinoa
(gluten-free, vegan)
From Simply Quinoa
This quinoa has just 5 ingredients. It makes a perfect side for many dishes, including the chicken recipes above.
Turmeric Maple Roasted Beets and Carrots
(paleo-friendly, gluten-free)
From Real Simple Good
Beets are also a super-good-for-you food, full of vitamins and minerals. You can make this with beets, carrots, maple syrup, salt, ghee, and turmeric.
Turmeric Tahini Dressing
(gluten-free, paleo, vegan)
From Karl Cooks
This salad dressing is ready in 5 minutes with just one step. It’s made with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, water, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and sea salt.
Desserts with Turmeric Recipes
Ginger Turmeric Vanilla Cookies
(gluten-free, vegan)
From Nest and Glow
These cookies look great, but the frosting looks even better. It’s made with blended cashews, vanilla, coconut oil, and maple syrup.
Chocolate Chunk Turmeric Cashew Butter Cookies
(gluten-free)
From Fit Mitten Kitchen
These cookies use a delicious combination of dark chocolate chunks and cashew butter with the addition of turmeric for a bit of spice!
Mango and Turmeric Raw Cupcakes
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)
From Nirvana Cakery
The crust is made of dates and seeds, and the top layer contains mango and creamed coconut with other spices. These cupcakes make for healthy snacks or desserts. The only sweetener, maple syrup, is optional.
Turmeric Coconut Flour Muffins
(gluten-free, paleo)
From Paleo Hacks
These muffins are made primarily with coconut milk, coconut flour, and eggs with other spices and staple baking ingredients.
Dark Chocolate Golden Milk Macaroons
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)
From Miminalist Baker
These macaroons make for a healthy indulgence because they’re perfectly sweet and subtly spiced.
