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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, Dry Brine Roast Chicken, Air Fryer Steak Bites, Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy, Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, 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.
4.96 from 83 ratings

Garlic Butter Rice

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 6 minutes
Pressurizing Time: 7 minutes
Total: 18 minutes
a white and blue bowl with garlic rice topped with chopped parsley.
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

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 212.94kcalCarbohydrates: 34.43gProtein: 3.68gFat: 6.39gSaturated Fat: 3.94gCholesterol: 16.18mgSodium: 392.33mgPotassium: 53.29mgFiber: 0.54gSugar: 0.75gVitamin A: 354.8IUVitamin C: 0.47mgCalcium: 35.64mgIron: 0.33mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Fusion
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah

Helping you serve up budget-friendly sustainable recipes with a side of balanced living.
Come for the food. Stay for the snark.

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108 Comments

  1. Hi Sarah, I just tried one of your recipes for the first time. I had tried cooking rice in the Instant Pot before and was not very excited about the result but your Garlic Butter Rice is really good. The family loved it. You have inspired me to further experimentation with the Instant Pot.

    Thank you5 stars