Six Paleo Turmeric Recipes

Lots of diet programs claim to be able to help us lose weight and/or stay healthy. Many are fads that won't help us achieve our goals, but some are authentic. The paleolithic diet (paleo for short) is one regimen that has been highly marketed. You may have also heard it referred to as the caveman diet or the stone age diet. That's because it was based on what its pioneers believed to be how our paleolithic ancestors gathered and prepared food.

How does turmeric fit into the paleo diet regimen? Turmeric is known for its powerful antioxidant properties, which could enhance the potential benefits of paleo recipes.

Benefits of Paleo Diets

There are several forms of paleo diets, which may explain why many people achieve success. Some people focus on fatty meat, very little plant food, no dairy, and no salt. Some focus on a more even ratio of lean meat and plant-based foods. Still others stress a diet of high protein and low carbohydrates. What they all have in common is that they try to recreate how our ancesters gathered and prepared food.

What Is Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice processed from the root of the Curcuma longa shrub. It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Turmeric is also responsible for the bright yellow color of curry powder, a staple spice of South Asian cuisine.

Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is loaded with antioxidants and may help to support the joints, aid digestion, and help support the eyes and brain.^† Turmeric may even help in maintaining cardiovascular health in already healthy individuals when taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise.^†

Paleo Turmeric Recipes

1. Ginger, Lemon and Turmeric Tea

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Calories: 93
Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 4 bags ginger tea
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 4 tbsp honey
• 4 dried ginger slices

Instructions

Boil 4 cups of water. Zest and juice lemon. In 4 mugs, evenly add tea bags, ginger, turmeric, honey and lemon.

Top each mug with boiling water, seep for 4 minutes, then garnish with dried ginger.

2. Orange Smoothie

Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories: 294
Serves 1

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups orange juice
• 1 small ripe banana, peeled and sliced
• ½ cup mango chunks
• 1 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 tsp ground turmeric

Instructions

In blender, add all ingredients and puree until smooth.

3. Loaded Paleo Breakfast Hash

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Calories: 382
Serves 5

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small
• 1 lb. ground pork (may substitute chicken or beef)
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp sage
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 large honey crisp apple, diced
• 3 cups kale
• 1–2 tbsp water or broth
• 2–3 tbsp ghee or coconut oil

Instructions

Combine spices: cinnamon, onion powder, garlic powder, sage, and turmeric. Set aside.

Brown meat in 1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil, sprinkle salt, pepper and half spice mixture. Set aside.

In large skillet, heat the remaining ghee on medium-high heat, add potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir for 2 minutes or until brown.

Cover skillet, lower heat to medium, cook for another 3–5 minutes or until soft. Stir midway. Uncover, add apples, kale, water/broth, cover, and cook for 1–2 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle remaining seasoning, and cook for 1 more minute.

Add browned meat to potato, stir and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat and serve.

4. Turmeric Chicken Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves 4 (1 serving has 423 calories)

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 cup golden beets, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups cauliflower, chopped
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup coconut cream (or use more broth)
• 16 oz chicken, cooked and shredded
• 1.5 cups kale, destemmed and chopped
• 2–3 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (more for garnish)

Instructions

In large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat coconut oil on medium heat.

Sauté onion for 4–5 minutes or until translucent.

Add garlic, celery, cauliflower, carrots, and beets and sauté for 5–6 minutes to almost tender.

Add broth and coconut cream and stir until creamy. Season with turmeric, ginger, salt, and black pepper, then stir until soup looks golden. Add chicken and parsley and combine well.

Simmer on medium heat for 20–25 minutes or until vegetables are tender to preference.

Stir in kale and simmer for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, cool, and serve with garnish.

5. Salmon Creamy Turmeric Veggies

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15–20 minutes
Calories: 436
Serves 4

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp coconut oil or avocado oil
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp ground turmeric
• ½ cup unsweetened full-fat coconut milk
• ¼ cup water
• Zest from 1 lime
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 3 cups broccoli, steamed
• 3 cups cauliflower, steamed
• 4 (6 oz) wild Alaskan fillets
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (for veggies and salmon)

Instructions

Heat oil in large frying pan or cast-iron pan. Add onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric. Cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes until nice golden color is achieved. Stir often. Add coconut milk, water, lime zest, lime juice and allow to simmer.

Stir in veggies. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside.

Preheat a grill pan. Salt and pepper salmon completely. Place skin side on pan, and grill on medium heat for 5 minutes. Turn salmon. Continue grilling until thoroughly cooked.

Serve salmon and veggies.

6. Turmeric Date Balls

Yields: 8

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup walnuts
• ½ cup rolled oats
• 1 tbsp ground turmeric (plus more for rolling)
• ¾ cup (overfilled) soft pitted dates
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

In a food processor or high-speed blender, add walnuts, oats, black pepper, turmeric and blend completely.

Add dates slowly until dough forms.

Roll into balls.

Roll each ball into more turmeric until coated.

Store in airtight container until ready to eat.

Paleo Diets Safety Concerns

Proponents of paleo diets suggest avoiding foods such as dairy, starchy vegetables, legumes (including peanuts), grains, refined sugars, salt, and trans fats. This may be difficult for some individuals.

There are no one-size-fits-all diets. Everyone's body is different. The best thing to do before making big diet changes is to do some research and talk with your physician or nutritionist.