Despite its international popularity, turmeric is rarely considered to be a staple food ingredient in the United States. If you've realized mid-recipe that you have no turmeric on hand, you may consider using a substitute. You may also consider combining several of these products to create a single concoction that stands in place of turmeric in your own recipes.
Curry Powder
Dried turmeric root powder grants yellow curry its characteristic coloration. If you have yellow curry powder on hand, you may be surprised to see that turmeric is the primary ingredient. Many curry powders are composed almost entirely of turmeric and seasonings with similar flavors, so you can easily substitute curry powder in place of full-strength turmeric.
Saffron
Saffron, a relative of the lilac, is entirely unrelated to turmeric. However, it is remarkably similar in both taste and appearance. Saffron can grant a dish the spicy-sweet, slightly acrid flavor associated with turmeric root. The Epic Centre notes that trace amounts of saffron can grant food a brilliant golden coloration. Unfortunately, saffron is very expensive and may cost significantly more than an equivalent amount of turmeric powder.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the closest botanical relatives to the turmeric plant, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. While ginger does not give food the yellow color associated with turmeric, it may impart a similar variety of flavors and fragrances. Furthermore, ginger offers many of the health benefits traditionally associated with turmeric, including anti-gas, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Annatto
Annatto, a natural food coloring derived from the achiote tree, has very little flavor. Annatto seed extract may be used in place of turmeric when a recipe requires natural yellow food coloring. The Cook's Thesaurus recommends steeping mature annatto seeds for 20 minutes. After the seeds are discarded, the bright-yellow liquid may be used in place of turmeric.
Cumin
Bitter and slightly peppery, cumin can be a viable substitute for turmeric in some recipes. Although its drab, grayish coloration makes it less visually appealing than turmeric, cumin can offer many of the flavorful benefits associated with turmeric powder.
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