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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 readily available, 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.

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.
  • In this recipe, 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 96 ratings

Garlic Butter Rice

Servings: 6
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 Cook

I'm here to help you make easy, seasonal, and no-fuss recipes for yourself and your family.

Whether it's a quick one-pot dinner or if I am teaching you how to can and preserve local produce, you can consider me your elder millennial grandma

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4.96 from 96 votes (45 ratings without comment)

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129 Comments

    1. So glad you enjoyed it, Mayanna! This is one of our family favorites and I love sharing it with others.

  1. Made this tonight for my family and everyone loved it! Even the picky 5 year old! Super easy and very yummy5 stars

    1. Yahoo, Lindsay! I always love winning over picky eaters with any recipe.

      Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.