Julie Clark
Posted:
Butter Rice
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Learn how to make old-fashioned butter rice in under 30 minutes. This stick of butter rice recipe is the perfect base for any main dish.
When it comes to comforting side dishes, butter rice never fails to impress. This old-fashioned butter rice recipe is simple, quick, and incredibly flavorful, making it the perfect base for just about any main dish.
Butter is often our secret ingredient in recipes, such as in chicken fried rice, bowtie pasta, and our raspberry sauce. And it makes this rice recipe stand out, too!
Consider serving this butter basmati rice with Greek chicken, baked chicken legs, smoked pork tenderloin, or garlic parmesan chicken.
Butter Rice Ingredients
This recipe uses basmati rice for its light, fluffy texture and flavor, enhanced by the subtle taste of garlic and shallots. And of course, butter!
✨ See the Recipe Card below for full ingredient amounts. ✨
How to Cook Butter Rice in 4 Steps
- Melt the Butter: Place the pats of butter in a large skillet or large saucepan over medium-low heat. Allow it to melt completely. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and finely diced shallot. Let the melted butter simmer for 3-4 minutes until the shallot is translucent.
- Add the Rice: Add the salt and basmati rice to the skillet. Saute well for 1-2 minutes until all of the rice is coated with the buttery mixture.
- Cook the Rice: Pour in the water and stir to ensure all the rice is covered. Place a lid on the pan and let it simmer for 15 minutes without opening the lid.
- Rest and Fluff: Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for another 5 minutes. Remove the cover and fluff the rice with a fork.
Garnish with freshly snipped green onions or your favorite herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley for added flavor.
Recipe Variations
- Butter Herb Rice: Add a teaspoon of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley while cooking for a fragrant twist.
- Cheesy Rice: Stir in a cup of grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese after fluffing the rice for a creamy, cheesy version.
- Lemon Butter Rice: Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and zest to the rice after cooking for a zesty, refreshing flavor.
Make it a meal.
Although I could eat this butter rice dish on its own, here’s how you can make it meal.
- Honey Oregano Pork Chops
- Serve Mushroom Alfredo Sauce over the rice.
- Garlic Butter Steak
- Italian Green Beans
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover butter rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave or warm the leftovers in a skillet with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep it moist.
You can also keep any leftovers in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.
You may also like our broccoli rice casserole, asparagus cilantro lime rice and our orzo rice pilaf.
Butter Rice
Learn how to make old-fashioned butter rice in under 30 minutes. This stick of butter rice recipe is the perfect base for any main dish.
Servings 6
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon finely diced shallot
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 2 cups basmati rice*
- 3 cups water
- For topping:
- 1/3 cup sliced green onions optional
Instructions
- Cut the butter into 8 slices. Place in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Allow the butter to melt, then add in the garlic and shallot. Allow the butter to simmer for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent. ½ cup salted butter, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon finely diced shallot
- Add in the salt and rice. Stir well for 1-2 minutes until all of the rice is coated. 1 teaspoon fine salt, 2 cups basmati rice*
- Add the water and stir well. 3 cups water
- Make sure the rice is all covered with water, then place a lid on the pan. Simmer for 15 minutes without opening the lid.
- Then turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for another 5 minutes. Then remove the cover and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Garnish with freshly snipped green onions or your favorite herbs like rosemary, thyme or parsley. ⅓ cup sliced green onions
Notes
*Or another long grain white rice.
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 6, with 1 serving being ⅙ of the rice. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **
Nutrition
Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 518mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 473IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
