The Perfect Garlic Butter Rice Recipe That Everyone Loves

Garlic butter rice changes ordinary grains into a luxurious side dish that elevates any meal with its rich, aromatic profile.

Fragrant and indulgent, this simple recipe promises to tantalize your taste buds and impress dinner companions.

butter melts into fluffy rice, creating a velvety texture that feels simultaneously comforting and sophisticated.

Each grain absorbs the intense, savory essence of garlic, delivering a depth of flavor that makes this dish irresistible.

Home cooks adore this versatile recipe for its simplicity and remarkable taste enhancement.

Minimal ingredients combine to produce maximum culinary satisfaction, making it a go-to solution for quick and delectable meal accompaniments.

Culinary magic awaits you in this delightful, foolproof garlic butter rice preparation.

Why Garlic Butter Rice Goes with Almost Everything

• Flavor-Packed Comfort: This garlic butter rice delivers an irresistible combination of rich, buttery goodness with aromatic garlic that transforms a simple side dish into a mouthwatering experience.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: The step-by-step process ensures perfectly cooked rice every time, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, with minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques.
• Quick and Versatile Sidekick: Ready in under 30 minutes, this rice recipe complements countless main dishes, from grilled meats to roasted vegetables, adding a luxurious touch to any meal without complex preparation.
• Sensory Satisfaction: The recipe creates a delightful texture with fluffy, separate rice grains infused with caramelized onions and fragrant garlic, offering a sensory experience that elevates a basic staple into something truly special.

What You Need to Make This Flavored Rice Dish

• Rice: Long-grain white rice works best for fluffy texture and even cooking.
• Chicken Broth: Adds rich flavor and helps cook the rice perfectly with extra depth.

• Yellow Onion, Garlic: Provide deep, savory base notes and aromatic foundation for the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.

• Butter: Creates creamy, rich finish and adds luxurious mouthfeel to the rice.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish that brings fresh, bright color and light herbal note.

How to Cook Garlic Butter Rice on the Stovetop

Step 1: Prepare Butter Base

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. The butter will create a rich, aromatic foundation for the rice.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Add and cook yellow onion until it turns golden and soft. Stir continuously to prevent burning.

Step 3: Infuse Garlic Flavor

Introduce minced garlic to the pan. Cook for a short moment until the kitchen fills with a delicious fragrance.

Step 4: Create Liquid Foundation

Pour chicken broth into the saucepan. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.

Step 5: Add Rice and Simmer

Incorporate rinsed rice into the liquid. Cover with a tight lid and reduce heat to low. Allow rice to cook slowly and absorb flavors.

Step 6: Rest and Finish Rice

Remove pan from heat. Let rice rest to ensure perfect texture and even moisture distribution.

Step 7: Enhance with Butter

Fold remaining butter into the rice. Use a fork to gently fluff and separate rice grains.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Transfer rice to a serving dish. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a touch of color and added freshness.

Tips for Fluffy Rice and Rich Garlic Taste

• Rinse Rice Thoroughly: Wash rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains.
• Control Garlic Precision: Mince garlic finely and watch carefully during sautéing to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste.
• Use Low and Slow Heat: Maintain a gentle simmer after adding rice to guarantee even cooking and prevent scorching at the bottom of the pan.
• Rest Rice Perfectly: Allow the rice to sit covered after cooking to help moisture distribute evenly and create a soft, tender texture.
• Choose Quality Broth: Select a rich, flavorful chicken broth to enhance the overall taste and depth of the garlic butter rice.

How to Store and Reheat Rice Without Drying It Out

• Refrigeration: Store leftover garlic butter rice in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled rice to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze for up to 1 month, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating: Sprinkle a few drops of water over the rice before microwaving to restore moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming and prevent drying out.

Dishes That Pair Well with Garlic Rice

• Elevate with Grilled Proteins: Pair this buttery, garlicky rice with succulent grilled chicken, tender steak, or flaky salmon to create a mouthwatering combination that balances rich flavors and textures.
• Complement with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio cuts through the rice's richness, providing a refreshing contrast that enhances the garlic and butter notes.
• Match with Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside herb-roasted Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or colorful bell peppers to add nutritional depth and vibrant colors to the dish, creating a well-rounded meal that delights the senses.
• Enhance with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or chives over the rice to brighten the flavors, add a pop of green, and introduce a subtle, fresh dimension to the creamy, garlicky base.

Ways to Add More Flavor to This Simple Side

• Herb-Infused Garlic Rice: Replace parsley with a mix of fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Garlic Butter Rice: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños during the garlic sautéing stage to create a zesty, warming kick.
• Mushroom Garlic Rice: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms alongside the onions to introduce an earthy depth and extra umami dimension.
• Lemon Garlic Rice: Incorporate fresh lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice when adding the final butter for a bright, citrusy undertone that cuts through the richness.

Garlic Butter Rice Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Garlic butter rice delivers a luxurious side dish that elevates simple ingredients into a comforting culinary experience. Mediterranean-inspired flavors mingle with buttery richness, creating a delectable accompaniment you’ll savor with every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Grains and Liquid):

• 1.5 cups dry long grain white rice or jasmine rice, rinsed and drained well
• 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Base Ingredients (Aromatics and Seasonings):

• 0.25 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 1.5 tablespoons (1.5 Tbsp) minced garlic
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Fat and Garnish:

• 4 tablespoons (4 Tbsp) unsalted butter, cut into 1 tablespoon pieces
• 1 tablespoon (1 Tbsp) minced fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large saucepan and create a flavorful foundation by melting butter over medium heat, allowing it to shimmer and coat the bottom of the pan.
2. Introduce finely chopped yellow onion to the melted butter, gently sautéing until the pieces transform into a soft, golden hue with caramelized edges.
3. Sprinkle minced garlic into the pan, stirring quickly to release its aromatic essence without scorching, ensuring a fragrant base for the rice.
4. Pour chicken broth into the saucepan, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the overall flavor profile, then bring the liquid to a rolling boil.
5. Carefully add rinsed rice to the boiling broth, giving a quick, gentle stir to distribute the grains evenly, then immediately cover with a snug-fitting lid.
6. Reduce heat to its lowest setting, allowing the rice to simmer and absorb the flavorful liquid for approximately 15-18 minutes, creating a tender and fluffy texture.
7. Once cooking is complete, remove the saucepan from heat and let the rice rest undisturbed, allowing moisture to distribute and grains to settle for 5-10 minutes.
8. Introduce the remaining butter, gently folding and fluffing the rice with a fork to create a luxurious, glossy finish.
9. Transfer the aromatic garlic butter rice to a serving dish, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant touch of color and added freshness.

Notes

• Rinse rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains that won’t stick together.
• Choose long-grain white rice for best texture and consistent cooking results in this buttery side dish.
• Sauté onions and garlic carefully to develop deep, rich flavors without burning or turning bitter.
• Low heat during simmering prevents scorching and helps rice absorb liquid evenly for perfect tenderness.
• Rest time after cooking allows rice to redistribute moisture and become wonderfully light and fluffy.
• Fresh parsley adds bright color and a subtle herbal freshness that complements the rich garlic butter.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg