How to Dry Turmeric

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: April 15, 2019 References

Not only does turmeric taste delicious in everything from tofu to a cup of tea, turmeric is also known for its health benefits. When you learn to dry turmeric at home you will have easy access to a seasoning that fills your dishes with flavor and enhances the health of your heart. For all of the following methods it’s necessary to boil the turmeric for around 45 minutes before beginning the drying process.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Drying Turmeric with Natural Sunlight

1
Slice the rhizomes into thin pieces. Aim for thin slices so that you can create the greatest amount of surface area. The more surface area, the faster your turmeric will be ready to star in its first recipe.^{[1]
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Place a thin layer of rhizomes in non-direct sunlight. Once you have sliced the rhizomes, it’s time for them to sunbathe. Spread the rhizomes in a 5–7 centimetres (2.0–2.8 in) layer on either a bamboo mat or a drying floor.^{[2]
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Research source} Be sure to avoid direct sunlight since it will drain your turmeric of its prized yellow color.

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3
Cover the rhizomes at night. Cover your turmeric in cloth or heap it together. This will help control air flow and help enhance the quality of your turmeric.
4
Repeat drying process for 10-15 days. The dry time of your turmeric will vary based on climate. You will know your turmeric is ready when it seems like there is 5-10% of the original moisture remaining.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Drying Turmeric with a Dehydrator

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Skin and chop the turmeric. Begin by peeling the skin from your turmeric. Once you have removed the skin, slice the turmeric into thin, equal portioned pieces.^{[4]
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Set the dehydrator’s temperature to 105 °F (41 °C) and prepare the dehydrator tray. Spread your freshly chopped turmeric on a dehydrator tray and cover it in parchment paper. Place the tray in the oven and get ready to bake!
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Cook for four hours. At the end of four hours, remove the tray from the dehydrator. Your turmeric is now ready for grinding, storing, and cooking.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Drying Turmeric with an Oven

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Slice the turmeric into .15 centimetres (0.059 in) pieces. Aim to get as close to .15 centimetres (0.059 in) as possible when slicing your turmeric. These thin slices will help reduce dry time and speed up dinnertime!^{[5]
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Set oven temperature to 115 °C (239 °F). While every oven is different, setting the temperature at around 115 °C (239 °F) will guarantee a steady drying process.^{[6]
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Research source} Be sure to spread your turmeric as thinly as possible on an oven-safe surface for the best results.
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Cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Dry time will depend on the thickness and initial water content of your turmeric. Start checking for results at around 90 minutes. It's almost time for your first tasty turmeric-based meal.^{[7]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Drying Turmeric with a Microwave

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Cut thin vertical slices. Begin the drying process by slicing your turmeric into thin vertical slices. This will increase the surface area of your turmeric and help speed up dry time.^{[8]
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Set the microwave temperature to around 445 watts. Spread your turmeric slices in a thin layer on a microwave-safe surface. Set the temperature to 445 watts and pop the turmeric in.
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Cook for 55 seconds. If you cook the turmeric for too long, then it’s color will be depleted. Get the richest turmeric possible when you cook it for about 55 seconds.^{[9]
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Warnings

Avoid sunlight if possible. Drying in the sun will cause more bleaching of color than the other methods listed.

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Avoid personal microwaves if possible. While microwaves are helpful in locations lacking in sunlight, they should be used only as a last resort.

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