The Turkish pantry

Turmeric (ground)

A golden powdered spice for color and an earthy flavor, used in measured amounts.

Last updated: 17 October 2026

Ground turmeric is the dried, milled rhizome of Curcuma longa. This guide concerns plain culinary powder, not curry powder, fresh turmeric root or a supplement.

A naturally uneven mound of golden-orange turmeric powder in a shallow terracotta dish on a bright coastal table.

Types & forms

Plain ground turmeric

Dry powder that colors the food it is mixed into.

Fresh turmeric · comparison

A fresh rhizome with different moisture and preparation needs.

Curry powder · comparison

A spice blend that can include turmeric plus other ingredients.

What to look for when buying

Look for a single-ingredient culinary product and intact packaging. Supplements and extracts are not cooking substitutes.
Check the package ingredients rather than choosing solely by bright color; a photograph does not establish purity or origin.

Prepare & cook

Measure before adding; mix into the recipe liquid, fat or other seasonings as directed to spread the powder evenly.
Its strong color can mark utensils and work surfaces. Wipe spills promptly and use a suitable work area.

Store it well

Seal the container and store in a cool, dry cupboard away from sunlight and steam.
Take powder out with a dry utensil. Keep its label and date with it if transferring to another food container.

Substitutions depend on the dish

Fresh turmeric instead

Moisture, texture and strength differ; use a recipe written for fresh rhizome rather than an assumed equal spoonful.

Saffron or curry powder instead

Both change the ingredient identity and flavor. Similar color is not evidence of an equivalent substitution.

Nutrition

Spices, turmeric, ground ^[1]

Per 100 g edible portion
Nutrient	Amount
Energy	312 kcal
Protein	9.68 g
Total fat	3.25 g
Saturated fat	1.84 g
Carbohydrate	67.1 g
Dietary fiber	22.7 g
Total sugars	3.21 g
Sodium	27 mg
Cholesterol	0 mg
Calcium	168 mg
Iron	55 mg
Potassium	2,080 mg
Vitamin D	0 µg

Plain ground turmeric, per 100 g of dry powder; not fresh rhizome, curry powder or an extract. Values are rounded for readability; “not reported” does not mean zero. A “<” value is below the source’s measurement limit.

Nutrition values come from the reference source named above. They are published reference values, not our own measurements. Actual products and cooking methods may change the values.

At the Turkish table

Zerdeçal can contribute color and flavor to a particular recipe without defining all Turkish cooking. The related dishes show the actual uses recorded in this collection; no therapeutic effect is claimed.