Introduction

Oh, the memories! There’s something about a simple, perfectly cooked pot of rice that just feels like home, isn’t there? And when you add that irresistible combination of garlic and butter? Well, that’s pure comfort food magic. Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for Garlic Butter Rice, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. It’s so incredibly easy, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t been making it all along. Perfect for those evenings when you need a delicious side dish in a flash, or even when you just want to treat yourself to something special without a lot of fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for quick meals.
Easy: Simple steps that anyone can follow, even if you’re new to cooking.
Giftable: While this recipe is best enjoyed fresh, the principles can be adapted for larger batches to share with neighbors or friends.
Crowd-pleasing: Everyone loves the savory, aromatic flavor of garlic butter!

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to deliciousness! Here’s what you’ll need:

1/4 cup (½ stick) unsalted butter: The creamy base that makes everything magical.
1/2 cup long-grain white rice (not instant): We’re talking classic, fluffy rice here. Avoid the instant stuff for the best texture.
1 1/2 cups water: The perfect amount of liquid to get our rice perfectly cooked.
2 teaspoons chicken Better Than Bouillon base: This is my secret weapon for adding a fantastic depth of flavor without needing to make chicken broth from scratch. It’s a pantry staple for a reason!
4 garlic cloves, minced: Fresh garlic is key for that incredible aroma and taste. Don’t be shy!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! It’s as easy as pie, or rather, as easy as rice!

Melt the Butter: Grab a medium saucepan and place it over medium heat. Add your butter and let it melt until it’s nicely liquid and starts to shimmer.
Sauté the Garlic: Toss in your minced garlic. Sauté it for about 1 minute, just until you can really smell that wonderful garlicky fragrance. Keep an eye on it – we want it fragrant, not browned or bitter.
Toast the Rice: Now, add your rice to the saucepan. Stir it around for 1-2 minutes, making sure every single grain gets coated in that glorious garlic butter. This toasting step really helps the rice maintain its texture.
Add Liquids: Pour in your water and stir in the chicken Better Than Bouillon base until it’s completely dissolved.
Bring to a Boil: Turn up the heat a little and bring the whole mixture to a rolling boil.
Simmer and Cover: Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, put the lid on your saucepan, and let it simmer. You’re looking for about 15-18 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is wonderfully tender.
Rest Time: This is an important step! Once the time is up, remove the saucepan from the heat, but keep the lid on. Let it stand for 5 minutes. This allows the steam to finish cooking the rice beautifully.
Fluff and Serve: Take off the lid and give the rice a gentle fluff with a fork. See? Perfect, fluffy, garlicky, buttery rice! Serve it up and enjoy!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but if you’re feeling adventurous or need to swap things out, here are a few ideas:

Vegetarian/Vegan: Easily make this vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable Better Than Bouillon and a good quality vegan butter.
Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives just before serving adds a lovely touch of freshness and color.
Spicy Kick: For those who like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic.
Different Rice: While long-grain white rice is best for this method, you could experiment with basmati or jasmine rice, though cooking times might vary slightly.
Broth Instead of Water: If you have chicken or vegetable broth on hand, you can absolutely use that instead of water for even more flavor!

Tips for Success

A few little tips can make all the difference:

Don’t Peek! Once the lid is on, try your best not to lift it while the rice is simmering. This lets the steam escape, which is crucial for properly cooked rice.
Rinse Your Rice: Some people swear by rinsing their rice before cooking to remove excess starch, which can result in fluffier grains. You can give it a quick rinse under cold water until the water runs clear if you like.
Measure Accurately: Getting the water-to-rice ratio right is key for perfect texture.
Prep Ahead: You can mince your garlic ahead of time and store it in a small airtight container in the fridge for up to a day.

How to Store It

Leftover Garlic Butter Rice is a treasure! Once it’s cooled down, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep well for about 3-4 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water or broth, or pop it in the microwave. I find the stovetop method keeps the texture best.

FAQs

Can I use instant rice?

While you can technically use instant rice, this recipe is really designed for long-grain white rice. Instant rice cooks much faster and has a different texture, so the cooking times and results will be quite different.

What can I serve this rice with?

This Garlic Butter Rice is incredibly versatile! It’s a fantastic side dish for grilled chicken or fish, a perfect accompaniment to stir-fries, or even a simple and satisfying base for a quick meal with some roasted vegetables.

Why is my rice mushy?

Mushy rice often happens when there’s too much liquid or the heat was too high, causing it to overcook. Make sure you’re using the correct water-to-rice ratio and simmering on low heat without peeking.

Can I make a bigger batch?

Absolutely! You can easily double or triple the recipe. Just make sure to use a larger saucepan that isn’t overcrowded, as this can affect even cooking.

Garlic Butter Rice

A simple and flavorful garlic butter rice recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe uses basic ingredients to create a comforting and delicious side dish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Servings 2 servings

Equipment

Medium saucepan
lid
Fork

Ingredients

Hauptzutaten

0.25 cup unsalted butter ½ stick
0.5 cup long-grain white rice not instant
1.5 cups water
2 teaspoons chicken Better Than Bouillon base
4 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
0.25 cup unsalted butter
Sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
0.25 cup unsalted butter
Add the rice to the saucepan and stir to coat every grain with garlic butter. Toast for 1-2 minutes.
0.25 cup unsalted butter
Pour in the water and stir in the chicken Better Than Bouillon base until dissolved.
0.25 cup unsalted butter
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
0.25 cup unsalted butter
Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve.

Notes

This recipe is best enjoyed fresh. For variations, consider adding fresh herbs like parsley or chives, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or using vegetable bouillon and vegan butter for a vegetarian/vegan option. Rinsing the rice before cooking can result in fluffier grains. Ensure the water-to-rice ratio is accurate and avoid lifting the lid during simmering.