Garlic Butter Rice

A staple garlic butter rice recipe is a must for every kitchen. Buttery, garlic-infused fluffy rice pairs with just about anything you can imagine, and it’s ready in only 35 minutes.

Why this recipe works

Bring a little oomph to the plate by learning how to make garlic butter rice. Really though, it’s a great way to add flavor to plain white rice, because who said it needs to be boring? Flavored rice is no new practice around here, cough cough (Cajun rice), I can’t imagine a time when we would settle on anything less now that we’ve experienced how good white rice can be.

On top of the buttery garlic goodness, we’ll use bouillon base to pack in even more flavor. You can kiss bland rice goodbye from here on out. All you’ll need is long-grain white rice, minced garlic, garlic salt, butter, and vegetable base (or broth) to get started. 

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

RICE – Long grain rice such as Basmati or Jasmine rice are perfect for this recipe. You can also use long grain brown rice.

ADDITIONS – We use a concentrated bouillon base for most of our recipes instead of broth or stock. It’s convenient, takes up a lot less space, and is easily reconstituted with water. You can certainly use broth or stock instead. Furthermore, you can substitute the vegetable base with beef or chicken, it all comes down to preference and what you are serving it with. 

How to Make Garlic Butter Rice

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, add garlic and saute 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Add rice and stir to combine.
3. Sprinkle the garlic salt over the rice.
4. Add the vegetable base and stir until combined.
5. Finally, add the water and stir.
6. Turn heat down to the lowest setting. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until water is almost absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and cover, fluffing after 3-4 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Serving Suggestions

Garlic butter rice is truly universal, it pairs well with just about anything! From vegetarian mains such as honey garlic tofu to beef, chicken, fish, and pork. It’s harder to come up with a dish that garlic butter rice wouldn’t pair with when you think about it.

More Rice Recipes

• Rice Pilaf
• Dirty Rice
• Cajun Rice
• Classic Spanish Rice

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Garlic Butter Rice

All you'll need is long-grain white rice, minced garlic, garlic salt, butter, and vegetable base (or broth) to make the best ever garlic butter rice!

5 from 1 vote

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings (3 cups total)

35 minutes mins

Calories: 193

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• ▢ 2 ½ Tablespoons minced garlic jarred, or about 6-8 cloves minced
• ▢ 1 cup uncooked white rice long grain, basmati, or jasmine
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon garlic salt
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon vegetable base
• ▢ 2 cups water

Things You’ll Need

• ▢
  Large heavy bottomed skillet

Before You Begin

• Long grain rice such as Basmati or Jasmine rice is great for this recipe. You can also use long grain brown rice.
• We use a concentrated bouillon base for most of our recipes instead of broth or stock. It’s convenient, takes up a lot less space, and is easily reconstituted with water. You can certainly use broth or stock instead. Furthermore, you can substitute the vegetable base with beef or chicken, it all comes down to preference and what you are serving it with. 

Instructions

• Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat, add garlic and saute 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add rice and stir to combine.
• Sprinkle the garlic salt over the rice.
• Add the vegetable base and stir until combined.
• Finally, add the water and stir.
• Turn heat down to the lowest setting. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until water is almost absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and cover, fluffing after 3-4 minutes.

Expert Tips & FAQs

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Rinsing rice before cooking helps remove excess starch, ensures the rice is clean and promotes even cooking resulting in fluffy, separated grains. Some rice brands sell pre-washed or “no-rinse” rice. If your rice is labeled as such, you can skip the rinsing step. Otherwise, it’s generally a good idea to give it a quick rinse for the best texture. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (1/2 cup) | Calories: 193cal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 1589mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 234IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.