Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
A turmeric-colored pilaf made with basmati rice and orzo pasta.
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 serving (medium) of Turmeric Basmati Rice Pilaf with Orzo (180 g) has 270 calories. That works out to 150 calories per 100 g. It contains 48.2 g of carbs, 6.8 g of protein, 5.9 g of fat and 1.4 g of fiber. Its 0.5 mg of Manganese covers 23% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 65 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Selected: 1 serving (medium) · 180 g
270
KCAL / 180G
Carbs
48.2g
· 18% DV
Protein
6.8g
· 14% DV
Fat
5.9g
· 8% DV
Fiber
1.4g
· 5% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 71% · Protein 10% · Fat 19%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 270 kcal | |
| Total fat | 5.9 g | 8% |
| Saturated fat | 1.08 g | 5% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 270 mg | 12% |
| Total carbohydrate | 48.2 g | 18% |
| Fiber | 1.4 g | 5% |
| Protein | 6.8 g | 14% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
Log this food in EatBetter
100,000+ people use it
📸 Scan the code to get the app free.

| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 serving (medium) | 180 g | 270 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (chopped) | 15 g | 23 kcal |
| ½ cup (small) | 90 g | 135 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 150 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 120 g | 180 kcal |
| 1 cup (medium) | 180 g | 270 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 250 g | 375 kcal |
| 1.5 cup (large) | 270 g | 405 kcal |
Calculated from 150 calories per 100 g.
Toast the orzo in a little oil until lightly golden, then stir in rinsed, drained basmati rice and turmeric. Add hot cooking liquid, cover, and cook gently until the rice is tender; let it rest off the heat, then fluff carefully.
Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta, not a grain of rice. In turmeric basmati rice pilaf with orzo, it adds a slightly chewy contrast to the long, fluffy basmati grains and takes on a toasted flavor when browned first.
Turmeric basmati rice pilaf with orzo can turn mushy if it absorbs too much liquid, cooks too long, or is stirred repeatedly. Rinse and drain the basmati well, keep the pan covered while it cooks, and fluff gently after resting.
Yes, rinse the basmati rice until the water runs mostly clear, then drain it thoroughly before cooking. Removing excess surface starch helps the grains stay separate; toast the orzo separately rather than rinsing it.
Yes, you can leave turmeric out of turmeric basmati rice pilaf with orzo, though the dish will lose its golden color and mild earthy flavor. A pinch of saffron or paprika can change the color, but each gives the pilaf a different taste.
You can replace the orzo with another small pasta, such as broken vermicelli, in turmeric basmati rice pilaf. Toast it first and watch the cooking time, since different pasta shapes soften at different rates from basmati rice.
Serve turmeric basmati rice pilaf with orzo alongside grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or fish. Its warm turmeric flavor also works well with a cooling yogurt sauce and a crisp salad, making it easy to pair with a simple main.
Yes, brown basmati rice can replace white basmati in this pilaf, but it takes longer to cook and needs more liquid. Cook it until nearly tender before adding the orzo, so the pasta does not become overdone.
Cool leftover turmeric basmati rice pilaf with orzo promptly, transfer it to a covered container, and refrigerate it. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat until steaming hot throughout, and avoid repeatedly cooling and reheating the rice.
Yes, freeze turmeric basmati rice pilaf with orzo in airtight, meal-sized portions once it has cooled. Thaw it in the refrigerator or reheat it from frozen until piping hot; the rice and pasta may be softer than when freshly cooked.
Vitamins
B6
0.09mg · 5% DV
B3
0.72mg · 5% DV
B5
0.18mg · 4% DV
Vitamin E
0.54mg · 4% DV
Minerals
Manganese
0.54mg · 23% DV
Copper
0.13mg · 14% DV
Sodium
270mg · 12% DV
Phosphorus
72mg · 10% DV
Potassium ⭐
99mg · 3% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 270 calories in 1 serving (medium) (180 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Turmeric Basmati Rice Pilaf with Orzo combines long-grain basmati rice with small pasta pieces, cooked pilaf-style with turmeric for a golden hue. Basmati tends to stay distinct and fluffy, while the orzo adds little tender, toasted-tasting bites. It works as a side dish across many cuisines, alongside grilled meats, vegetables or legumes, and can also be served as a simple base for a bowl meal.
The dish is mainly a source of carbohydrates, with modest protein and little fibre. Its mild, fragrant flavour pairs well with bright, fresh accompaniments such as herbs, lemon or a crisp salad. For a more balanced plate, add vegetables and a protein-rich main rather than relying on the pilaf alone.
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
1.08g
MONOUNSATURATED
2.34g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.62g
Omega 6:3 ratio 28.8:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (28.8:1).
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.