Description

Garlic Butter Rice is a quick and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for any meal. Made with fragrant garlic, creamy butter, and savory broth, this easy rice recipe transforms basic pantry staples into something truly satisfying. Whether you serve it with grilled chicken, seared shrimp, or roasted vegetables, this buttery garlic rice brings comfort and depth to every plate. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and is easy to customize with herbs, cheese, or proteins to make it your own.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, finely minced, about 1 tablespoon (see note for variations)
1 ½ cups long grain white rice or white jasmine rice (see note)
2 ¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock (see note)
1 teaspoon table salt
Chopped, fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Melt the butter in a 4- or 5-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 to 45 seconds, stirring constantly, until it smells fragrant (don’t let it burn or it can turn bitter-tasting).
Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, for about a minute, until the grains are evenly coated in butter.
Add the broth/stock and salt and stir.
Increase the heat to medium-high, bring the liquid to a boil, stir once (scraping up any rice on the bottom of the pan), immediately cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium-low so the rice maintains a simmer but not a vigorous boil.
Cook for 16 minutes. At the end of cooking, DO NOT LIFT THE LID. Remove the pan from the heat and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Fluff and serve, topping with chopped, fresh parsley, if desired.

Notes

Rice Type: Long-grain white rice is ideal for a fluffy texture, but jasmine or basmati work well too. Avoid short-grain rice, which tends to be sticky.
Butter: Use unsalted butter for better control over the salt level. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe.
Garlic Tip: Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor. Be careful not to overcook it—garlic should be fragrant, not browned.
Liquid Options: Chicken broth adds more depth than water, but vegetable broth works for a vegetarian version.
Add-ins: Customize with chopped parsley, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, or cooked protein.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to keep it moist.
Freezer Friendly: Freeze in individual portions for easy meal prep. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.