Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Rice)

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Rich, creamy and golden yellow, Nasi Kunyit is a sticky turmeric rice that’s made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, lime juice and turmeric. Enjoy this Malaysian rice dish with curries or rendang!

Overhead view of turmeric rice on a white plate with chopsticks and resting on a blue cloth.

It's just incredible served with this Nyonya chicken curry - one of our favs around here!

You all know how much we love rice around here! From seafood rice to sushi rice, it’s one of our favorite side dishes.

We also love curries! And, while this coconut jasmine rice has been a go-to for us to serve with curries, this nasi kunyit recipe is a new favorite.

If you're a fan of rice dishes, you'll also love this claypot chicken rice - it's basically a one pot meal!

What is nasi kunyit?

It is a Malaysian and Indonesian fragrant rice. Nasi kunyit translates into turmeric rice. It can also be called nasi kuning, which means yellow rice.

This turmeric rice is often enjoyed as a celebratory dish in Malaysia and Indonesia. It’s made with sticky sweet rice and usually steamed. It has a coconut lime flavor and a golden yellow color thanks to the turmeric.

Why this recipe works

Using glutinous rice ensures this rice dish is sticky and sweet.
Letting the rice soak in water with turmeric and lime infuses the rice with flavor and adds its signature golden yellow color.
Steaming the rice for an additional 5 minutes after it has been drizzled with coconut milk ensures the rice is flavorful and fragrant.

Ingredients

For a full list of ingredients and quantities used, refer to the recipe card below.

You’ll need 2 cups of glutinous rice for this recipe. This type of rice can be found in the rice aisle or international aisle in most grocery stores. It's also available at specialty Asian markets.

The recipe calls for 1 ½ tablespoons of turmeric powder. Turmeric is a spice that has an earthy flavor with a subtle peppery taste.

The rice soaks in water with the turmeric as well as lime juice and lime slices. For the lime juice, use freshly squeezed for the best flavor. Avoid bottled juice which has additives.

Pepper pairs well with turmeric. This recipe calls for ½ teaspoon of white pepper. You can use ground black pepper if you can’t find white.

Lastly, ½ cup of coconut milk is drizzled over the rice before the last 5 minutes of steaming. This adds fragrance and a sweeter flavor to the rice.

Step by step instructions

Rinse the rice 2-3 times until the water runs perfectly clear.

Place the rice in a bowl and cover with water (about 1" above the rice).

Mix in the turmeric, lime juice and lime slices.

Sticky rice soaking in a bowl of water with turmeric, lime juice and lime slices.

Let it soak in the fridge overnight (or at least 4 hours).

Drain the rice and mix it with the salt and pepper.

Place the rice in a parchment paper lined steamer, with a few very small holes in the bottom to allow steam to escape.

Steam for 25 minutes. Drizzle the coconut milk over the rice and steam for another 5 minutes.

Turmeric rice in a parchment paper lined rice steamer.

Remove from heat, fluff and serve.

Expert tips

Be sure to rinse the rice until the water runs clear. This will take at least 2-3 rinses.
Don’t skip the step of soaking the rice as this helps the rice absorb moisture and cook evenly. It also infuses it with flavor and color.
When soaking the rice in water, make sure the water is at least one inch above the rice as the rice will expand as it soaks.
Make sure to place the rice in the fridge while it soaks. You don’t want to leave it at room temperature as there is a risk that bacteria may grow.
Keep in mind that turmeric powder will stain skin and clothes so be careful handling it.
You can use light or full fat coconut milk, but for the best texture, I prefer full fat which is thicker and creamier.
I always line the steamer with parchment paper as the sticky rice is very sticky. Just make sure there are tiny holes in the bottom so steam can escape.
Keep the rice covered and warmed before serving. It will start to dry out if left at room temperature for too long.

Side view of nasi kunyit on a white plate with chopsticks.

Common questions

What is glutinous rice?

Glutinous rice is also known as sticky rice or sweet rice and is commonly used in Asian cooking. The high amount of amylopectin starch is what helps makes this rice sticky and clumpy.

What’s the best way to rinse rice?

Place the rice in a mesh sieve or colander and run cold water over it until the water runs clear. If it’s still cloudy, keep rinsing. This will take 2-3 rinses.

Do you need to let the sticky rice soak before steaming?

Yes! The rice is soaked in water with turmeric, lime juices and lime slices. The soaking helps the rice absorb moisture and cook more evenly. It also helps infuse the rice with flavor and produce a golden yellow color. I usually soak the rice overnight, but you can soak it for as little as 4 hours. The longer you soak it, the softer it will be once cooked

Can you use another type of rice?

I don’t recommend using another type of rice. Nasi kunyit requires sticky rice, and other types of rice will not produce the same results.

How do you serve nasi kunyit?

This fragrant rice is often served with curries, but we also enjoy it with chicken rendang, beef rendang or coconut lime chicken skewers.

Close up view of nasi kunyit on a plate.

Storage instructions

Cooked turmeric rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To reheat, you can warm the rice in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop. I recommend adding a little water to the rice as it reheats so it doesn’t dry out.

Side view of turmeric rice on a white plate.

More rice recipes

Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!