Garlic Butter Rice 🧄🍚🧈 Fluffy, Fragrant, and Rich With Toasted Garlic Butter and Just Enough Salt to Crave Every Bite

This is your sleeper hit side dish — butter-forward, deeply garlicky rice that feels indulgent but takes almost no effort. It pairs with anything: seafood, steak, stir-fry, or even just a fried egg. It also makes a great base for bowls or burritos.

Comforting, craveable, and quietly luxurious.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the rice

• 1 cup long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati recommended)
• 1¾ cups water or low-sodium broth
• ½ tsp salt (adjust if using broth)

For the garlic butter

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
• ¼ tsp black pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)
• Optional: 1 tbsp chopped parsley, chives, or green onion
• Optional: splash of lemon juice or zest

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the rice
Rinse rice until water runs clear. Combine with water (or broth) and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit (covered) for 5 more minutes.

Step 2: Make the garlic butter
While the rice rests, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until soft and fragrant (not browned). Add pepper or red chili flakes if using.

Step 3: Fluff and combine
Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Gently fold in the garlic butter until evenly coated. Add herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Step 4: Serve
Serve hot as a side or base. Spoon under grilled shrimp, roasted chicken, stir-fried vegetables, or saucy mains.

Flavor Variations

• Add a spoonful of Parmesan or nutritional yeast for a cheesy twist
• Stir in toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds for texture
• Use brown rice or farro for a heartier base
• Infuse the butter with curry powder or smoked paprika for a spiced version
• Add frozen peas or corn during the last few minutes of rice cooking for color and sweetness

Pro Tips

• Rinse your rice to prevent gumminess and get that perfect fluffy texture
• Use broth instead of water for deeper flavor
• Cook garlic low and slow — burned garlic will ruin the dish
• Add butter at the end to keep the rice rich and glossy, not greasy
• Want to meal prep? Garlic butter rice stores and reheats beautifully

Final Thoughts

Garlic Butter Rice is humble but irresistible — the kind of side dish you start with a spoonful and end up eating half the pot. Simple, fragrant, and built to go with everything.

Steam it. Butter it. Let the garlic do the talking. 🧄🍚🧈🔥

🧄 Garlic Butter Recipes Collection

Explore them all → Rich, golden, and versatile — garlic butter is the flavor bomb your weeknight meals (and fancy dinners) need.

🔥 Garlic Butter Proteins (Main Dishes)

• Garlic Butter Shrimp – Fast, juicy shrimp with bold garlic butter flavor.
• Garlic Butter Chicken – Crispy thighs smothered in a buttery garlic glaze.
• Garlic Butter Chicken Bites – Bite-sized skillet gold.
• Garlic Butter Steak Bites – Quick-seared steak cubes in sizzling garlic butter.
• Garlic Butter Tilapia – Mild fish with a rich, buttery finish.
• Garlic Butter Salmon – Buttery, flaky salmon perfect for weeknight dinner.

🍝 Garlic Butter Pastas & Noodles

• Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta – Seafood and carbs in harmony.
• Garlic Butter Pasta – Minimalist magic with max flavor.
• Garlic Butter Noodles – A simple classic that pairs with anything.
• Garlic Butter Lobster Mac & Cheese – Rich, decadent, and over-the-top good.
• Garlic Butter Parmesan Fettuccine – Creamy, cheesy, and craveable.
• Garlic Seafood Pasta Bake – Bubbly and golden with garlic and seafood.
• Garlic Butter Seafood Lasagna Rolls – Creamy, rolled seafood pasta baked in butter sauce.

🍚 Garlic Butter Sides, Bases & Sauces

• Garlic Butter Rice – Buttery rice with bold flavor and fluff.
• Garlic Butter Sauce – Base for seafood, pasta, and more.
• Garlic Butter Seafood Boil Sauce – Bold, spicy, and ready for dunking.
• Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes – Creamy with a garlicky punch.
• Garlic Butter Green Beans / Asparagus – Your favorite veg made crave-worthy.
• Garlic Bread with Homemade Garlic Butter Spread – Essential upgrade for any carb lover.

🌶️ Garlic Butter Fusion Recipes (Flavor Bombs)

• Garlic Butter Cajun Shrimp – Spicy, buttery, and bold.
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos – Crispy shells, buttery shrimp.
• Garlic Butter Chicken Alfredo – Creamy fusion of two comfort classics.
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi – Bright lemon and rich butter make magic.
• Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles – Lazy, comforting, deeply satisfying.