Easy Turmeric Oatmeal (Golden Milk Oatmeal Recipe)

This simple turmeric oatmeal recipe is easy, filled with warming flavors and is such a fun way to enjoy more of turmeric's powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. It makes for a beautiful golden oatmeal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Such a great healthy start to your day!

Turmeric is usually included in savory recipes, such as curries, Tikka Masala or tofu scrambles. 

But it also works well to make flavorful sweet recipes! We love it when making healthy lemon, turmeric and ginger shots, but another easy way to enjoy turmeric is to add it when making oatmeal!

This might be surprising, but it really works!

This cozy breakfast bowl is packed with anti-inflammatory properties and is filled with antioxidants to help you stay healthy, thanks to the dried turmeric.

Plus, the pairing in flavor is absolutely amazing. The turmeric powder is combined with cinnamon, which helps balance the spiciness from the turmeric. Plus a little maple syrup to sweeten the creamy oats. 

I also included blueberries to balance the flavor and add more powerful nutrients. When making the oatmeal, the blueberries slightly cook and soften while releasing some of their sweet juice, which pairs wonderfully with the earthy flavors from the spices.

It creates a sweet oatmeal bowl filled with warming flavors that's perfect to start your day energized and satisfied.

Let me know if you gave it a try! ❤️

What's turmeric?

Turmeric, also called curcuma, is a spice that comes from the roots of the turmeric plant. 

Fresh turmeric is a rhizome (looks like a root), very similar to fresh ginger. The more common and used form of turmeric is a powder that comes from drying fresh turmeric roots.

It is a common spice used in Asian and Indian food. It has a very fragrant, floral and almost spicy aroma with a slight touch of sweetness. It is used widely to make curries (also included in curry powder mixes) and stews, but also used in cosmetics and quite a lot in the medicinal world, especially in India.

Turmeric Health's Benefits

Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin (active ingredient), which provides its bright yellow color, but also is responsible for numerous health benefits.

Turmeric is considered a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredient, which can:

• lower your risk of heart disease
• prevent cancer
• strengthen your immune system
• fight inflammatory diseases (such as arthritis)
• improve brain health (such as slowing down the development of Alzheimer's)

Why you'll love this recipe

• Easy recipe
• Made using simple ingredients
• Loaded with anti-inflammatory properties
• Rich in antioxidants
• Delicious spiced and has an earthy flavor
• Appetizing vibrant color
• High in fiber and vitamins
• Perfect cozy bowl of oatmeal for the cold winter days
• Ultra creamy texture
• Fully vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free

Ingredients you'll need

• Rolled oats: I like thick rolled oats (or old-fashioned) for oatmeal since I enjoy the chewy texture. You can also use quick-cooking oats, although they will give you a softer texture.
• Vegan milk: I like oat milk from Oatly for its creaminess and slightly natural sweetness, but you can also use almond milk or soy milk.
• Dried ground turmeric (powder): it has a strong taste, so you can start ½ teaspoon and add more to taste.
• Cinnamon: amazing to balance the flavor of the turmeric. Nutmeg, chai spices, cardamom or pumpkin pie spices is great too.
• Maple syrup: agave nectar, brown rice syrup or brown sugar work too.
• Blueberries: also packed with antioxidants and add amazing flavor to the oatmeal. Blackberries are great too.

How to make turmeric oatmeal

Making this recipe should take about 15 minutes.

Combine

Add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan, stir and turn up the heat to medium-high. 

Simmer

Once it starts to boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low or medium heat and keep cooking until the desired texture or until the oats are soft and creamy. Keep uncovered and stir often so it does not stick to the bottom. It should take about 5-7 minutes. 

Adjust and serve

Then, taste and adjust the sweetener to your liking. You can also add more turmeric and cinnamon is desired.

Serve immediately while still warm with the garnishes of your choice.

Variations to the recipe

This recipe is very versatile and you can customize it to your preferences. Here are some ideas:

• Ultra creamy: you can use coconut milk for added flavor but also to create a creamier texture and richer oatmeal.
• Dried fruits: turmeric goes well with raisins goji berries or chopped dates.
• Ginger: you can make a turmeric ginger oatmeal by adding a small amount fo grated ginger or a dash of ground ginger.
• Nut butter: add a spoonful of almond butter or peanut butter for more creaminess and nutrients.

Golden milk oatmeal serving suggestions

I love to garnish my bowl of oatmeal with more ingredients to give the oatmeal more texture and flavor. 

Here are my favorite toppings for this breakfast bowl:

• More fresh blueberries or other fresh fruit, such as raspberries, strawberries, cherries, etc.
• A splash of vegan milk or coconut milk.
• Chia blueberry jam
• Shredded coconut or coconut flakes
• Nuts or seeds (like walnuts, pecans, almonds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds or hemp seed

Cooking tips for making turmeric oats

• The absorption of curcumin through our gut is enhanced when turmeric is combined with ground black pepper. I didn't add any in my version just as a personal taste, but if you want to help encourage the intake of curcumin, then feel free to add some.
• I normally do not add any sweetener to my oatmeal, as I usually add sweet fruits to it. But in this case, I really could not go without adding maple syrup. The sweet flavor combined with the turmeric is really surprisingly satisfying, but simply omit or adjust how much you want to add to your recipe.
• Rolled oats are so convenient and usually my preferred kind of oats. But, feel free to choose steel cut oats if that's what you have. In this case, make sure to adjust how much milk to use and the cooking time (follow the packaging instructions).
• Turmeric stains easily, so be careful of your counter and clothes when manipulating turmeric.

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Yes, you can, although it will turn your oatmeal completely green! 

For this reason, I recommend to add the frozen blueberries when the oatmeal is almost done, giving just enough time for the fruits to thaw (and do not stir them too much). This should preserve the beautiful yellow color to your oatmeal.

Meal-prep and storage tips

The recipe should give you about enough for 1 person, but you can also batch cook and make by doubling or tripling the recipe. 

Once cooked, let the oats cool down slightly at room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and then keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. The oats will thicken as they cool down.

Once ready to eat, then scoop your portion and transfer to a bowl. Loosen up the oats by adding a splash of water or milk and stir until looking creamier. Warm in the microwave until warm enough and top with your favorite garnishes. You could also reheat the oats on the stove for a few minutes. 

Other oatmeal recipes you might like

• Matcha oatmeal with chocolate
• Strawberry overnight oats
• Pumpkin and orange overnight oats
• Vegan overnight oats: the complete guide
• Strawberry and chocolate baked oatmeal
• Mango overnight oats with almond butter swirl
• Barley and oat breakfast bowl with a rhubarb-strawberry compote
• Oatmeal with flaxseed
• Spiced oatmeal

I hope you enjoy this turmeric oatmeal recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

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📖 Recipe