For a quick and super easy side dish, this Garlic Rice Recipe is the way to go! It comes together with simple pantry staples and only takes 5 minutes of hands-on time. Toasting the garlic first mellows the flavor, giving the rice a rich, garlicky goodness without being overpowering. You can make it in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, and the best part? It pairs perfectly with beef, pork, or chicken—so versatile and delicious!
For more foolproof rice recipes, see our collection with everything form fluffy coconut rice to classic Mexican Rice for any night of the week!
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This rice is a winner every single day of the year. If you've been around for a while, you already know we’re big fans of flavored rice recipes. And the best part? This one is crazy easy. Just toast some garlic in a little oil, cook the rice in broth, and boom—you've got a fluffy, flavorful side with minimal effort.
Need more easy sides to round out your meal? Check out all our simple veggie dishes and more!
Why this recipe is great
- Super easy: After a quick sauté, add the rice and liquid, and you're done. It practically cooks itself.
- Pantry ingredients: No fancy ingredients needed—just a few basics, and you’ve got a delicious side ready to go.
- Quick: Less than 10 minutes of hands-on time and you are good to go!
Ingredients for garlic rice
This recipe only requires a few pantry staples! Exact quantities are in the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Chicken broth: Adds great rich savoriness and rounds out the profile.
- Rice: Any white long grain rice will work well.
- Butter: We only buy salted butter but unsalted butter will work as well.
- Onion: Yellow onion or sweet onions have a mild flavor.
- Garlic: Minced garlic is an easy shortcut but feel free to mince a couple whole fresh garlic cloves.
- Oil: Olive oil is perfect for cooking the aromatics in.
- Salt: All our recipes are made using Morton's Kosher Salt.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley add a pop of freshness. Dried will also work but won't have quite the same flavor.
Helpful kitchen tools
How to make garlic rice
This recipe can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop in a saucepan with simple ingredients.
Heat a large pot until nice and hot. Add in the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions are soft and beginning to turn translucent. Add in the minced garlic and allow it to toast for 1 minute or until toasting an beginning to turn golden brown.
Once the aromatics are done, add in the white rice. Stir and toast until each grain of is fully coated in the oil and is beginning to turn a bit translucent.
Pour in the chicken stock and the salt. Cook according to the preferred cooking method.
Once the rice is tender, rake the tines of a fork across the top of the rice. Add in the butter and the chopped parsley.
Hint: If you're using an Instant Pot, let the "sauté" function heat up for at least 3 minutes before adding anything. If it’s not hot enough, the onion and garlic will just steam instead of getting that nice, flavorful sizzle.
Variations and substitutions
- Use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.
- Use dried parsley in place of fresh.
- Try other fresh herbs like chives, scallions (green onion), or thyme in place of parsley.
- Add in even more butter if you want more of a buttery garlic rice.
What to serve with garlic rice
This is the perfect side dish that pairs with almost any of these main dishes:
FAQs
The easiest way to pack garlic flavor into your rice is to toast it in oil before adding the liquid and rice. That garlic-infused oil gives you all the rich, roasted flavor—without the hassle of roasting whole heads.
Refrigerator: Store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: We love freezing rice for quick side dish on a busy night. See this complete post for all the tricks to successfully freeze rice.
Whether stored in the refrigerator or the freezer, these tips will help to reheat rice.
Tips & Tricks
- Make sure to allow the rice to toast in the oil before adding in the liquids. This will prevent the final dish from being clumpy or overly sticky.
- For the best fluffy texture, give it a good fluff with a fork. Just run the tines across the surface, starting light and going deeper as you go. It makes all the difference!
More rice side dish recipes
Looking for other easy rice recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Garlic Rice Recipe (Quick & Easy!)
Equipment
- Instant Pot OR
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup yellow onion diced
- 3 tablespoon minced garlic or 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1.5 cups long grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth for IP or 3 cups for stovetop
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon butter
- Chives or parsley optional
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Select the "saute" option. Once the pot is very hot, add the oil and saute onions for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent. Add in in garlic for to 1 minute or until just beginning to toast.3 tablespoon olive oil, ½ cup yellow onion, 3 tablespoon minced garlic
- Stir in the rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring until every grain is coated in the oil and the grains are beginning to turn translucent.1.5 cups long grain rice
- Add in 2 cups of chicken broth and salt. Scrape all the rice grains down into the liquid. Seal the Instant Pot and press "rice."2 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt
- Once Instant Pot beeps to indicate it is finished, allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes (do NOT release the steam yet). After 10 minutes, release the steam and open the lid. Fluff with a fork, then add in the butter and herbs. Stir carefully and serve warm.2 tablespoon butter, Chives or parsley
Stovetop
- While continuing with the recipe, microwave 3 cups chicken stock until hot.
- Heat a medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Once hot, add in oil and saute onions for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent. Add in in garlic for to 1 minute or until just beginning to toast.3 tablespoon olive oil, ½ cup yellow onion, 3 tablespoon minced garlic
- Stir in the rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring until every grain is coated in the oil and the grains are beginning to turn translucent.1.5 cups long grain rice
- Add the hot stock and salt. Cover immediately and cook on low heat for 20 minutes (should simmer softly).2 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt
- Once finished cooking, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Then add in the butter and fresh herbs, gently stirring until well combined. Serve warm.2 tablespoon butter, Chives or parsley
Notes
- Make sure to allow the rice to toast in the oil before adding in the liquids. This will prevent the final dish from being clumpy or overly sticky.
- For the best fluffy texture, give it a good fluff with a fork. Just run the tines across the surface, starting light and going deeper as you go. It makes all the difference!
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Misty says
This recipe goes amazing with chicken!