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Garlic Butter Rice

Garlic butter rice is a fast weeknight side dish that the whole family will love! Made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, this garlic rice is great for meal prep.
a white and blue bowl with garlic rice topped with chopped parsley.

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Garlic Butter Rice is a fast weeknight side dish that the whole family will love! Made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, this garlic rice is great for meal prep.

a white and blue bowl with garlic rice topped with chopped parsley.

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Rice is one of those sides that goes with almost everything. It’s affordable, filling, and beloved by even the pickiest of family members. It’s like the rice version of Cheesy Garlic Bread.

But you don’t need to turn to those heat and serve packets from the grocery store to make delicious flavored rice. I got you boo.

In a perfect world, I would serve a side of this garlic rice with Air Fryer French Onion Pork Chops, Paleo Roast Chicken, Air Fryer Steak Bites, Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy, Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli, or Roasted Frozen Broccoli.

And for my vegetarian friends, try it over this Tempeh Bolognese from Hey Nutrition Lady.

Garlic Butter Rice Variations

The garlic in this rice is pretty apparent, so if you need something more subtle, either dial back the garlic or use roasted garlic. I always have some Instant Pot Roasted Garlic or Air Fryer Roasted Garlic hanging around my freezer.

For even creamier garlic rice, add milk or cream to the finished rice 1 tbsp at a time, stirring with each addition, until it has reached your desired consistency.

Making this after the holidays? Use Turkey Bone Broth instead of chicken.

3 photos showing step by step how to make garlic rice in the Instant Pot
a photo showing cheese being added to an instant pot for garlic rice

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • Want a vegetarian version? Sub in your favorite veggie broth.
  • Like your rice more cheesy? Top the finished rice with additional parmesan.
  • If you need to make this on the stovetop, combine all ingredients except Parmesan in a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce to low, and cook for 15 minutes with the lid on.
  • I do not rinse my rice beforehand because I’m lazy, but if you choose to rinse, the cooking time and measurements remain the same.
bowls of garlic parmesan rice on a white board with parsley and garlic bulbs.
a white and blue bowl with garlic rice topped with chopped parsley.
Print Recipe
4.98 from 67 ratings

Garlic Butter Rice

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Pressurizing Time7 minutes
Total Time18 minutes
Garlic butter rice is a fast weeknight side dish that the whole family will love! Made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, this garlic rice is great for meal prep.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 1/3 cup rice (see notes for options}
  • 2 cups broth {use your favorite}
  • 3 cloves garlic {minced}
  • 3/4 tsp parsley {dried}
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese {grated}

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to "saute" to melt the butter (it will take about 1-2 minutes). Once melted, turn the Instant Pot to "off/keep warm".
    3 tbsp butter
  • Add the rice, broth, garlic, and dried parsley. Stir.
    1 1/3 cup rice, 2 cups broth, 3 cloves garlic, 3/4 tsp parsley
  • Lock the lid into place and set the steam release handle (valve on top) to “Sealing”. Press Manual>High Pressure>6 minutes. It will take 2-4 minutes to get up to pressure.
  • When the cooking time is up, flip the vent to venting and perform a quick release.
  • Carefully open the lid and add the parmesan and stir.
    2 tbsp Parmesan cheese

Notes

Stovetop Instructions:
Combine all ingredients except Parmesan in a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce to low, and cook for 15 minutes with the lid on.
  1. Use 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley in place of dried
    Use 1.5 tsp garlic powder in place of fresh
  2. If you use instant rice, reduce cooking time to 4 minutes in the Instant Pot.
  3. I used long-grain Jasmine rice in this recipe.
  4. If you prefer brown rice, increase the Instant Pot cooking time to 22 minutes and allow for a 10-minute natural release. I would also recommend increasing the broth by 1/4 cup.
Nutrition Facts
Garlic Butter Rice
Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 212.94 Calories from Fat 58
% Daily Value*
Fat 6.39g10%
Saturated Fat 3.94g25%
Cholesterol 16.18mg5%
Sodium 392.33mg17%
Potassium 53.29mg2%
Carbohydrates 34.43g11%
Fiber 0.54g2%
Sugar 0.75g1%
Protein 3.68g7%
Vitamin A 354.8IU7%
Vitamin C 0.47mg1%
Calcium 35.64mg4%
Iron 0.33mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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88 comments on “Garlic Butter Rice”

  1. Did you rinse the rice first? My rice came out a little aldente. I used the instapot version.4 stars

    • Hi Anna, I don’t rinse the rice first. Our comes out perfectly every time, so here are a few things that might impact your texture:
      1) are you at a higher elevation than 1500 feet?
      2) did you use a liquid measuring cup for the broth, or a dry measuring cup? (it should be a liquid cup)
      3) did you allow the rice to sit for 10 minutes before releasing the pressure?

  2. This recipe was so easy to make and tasted great. I loved that you added the amounts to the ingredients in the directions along with the list above. Then it’s one less step to scroll up and down to remember the amounts for everything. I used the insta pot version.5 stars

    • So glad you enjoyed it, Dani. It’s one of our family’s favorite easy recipes.

      And yes, the ingredients in the directions are one of my favorite features. I get frustrated when I’m making a recipe from another site.

  3. Can you use minute rice for the stove top version? If so, how long would you cook it for?

    • I have never cooked minute rice before, but I assume it would work. As for the cooking time, I couldn’t say since I have never worked with it. I’d probably just follow the instructions on the package.

      I would also dial back the chicken stock a bit since minute rice doesn’t need to absorb as much liquid.