This butter rice recipe is a simple and quick side that pairs well with various dishes. The garlic, butter, and onion make for a flavorful, creamy, rich rice that elevates any meal.
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As a Brazilian who eats rice almost every day, I can say that rice can taste pretty good if done right, and this butter rice is the perfect example of delicious-tasting rice.
It's really easy and quick to make, and the secret to the delicious flavor lies in the simple ingredients cooked just right. As you saute the onion and garlic in butter, you create the perfect flavor profile for this rice! You'll never want to eat plain boring, and unseasoned rice again.
By the way, if you ever have leftover rice, try my leftover rice casserole. It's creamy, cheesy, flavorful, and super easy to make.
Ingredients
Butter rice uses simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Here's the list.
- Long-grain white rice
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Water
- Salt
*See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Butter Rice
Making butter rice is very easy. Here are the step-by-step photos for guidance.
Place rice in a fine-mesh sieve or colander and rinse it in cold water. Rub them with your hands to remove any excess starch. Set aside.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium pan over medium heat, and saute onion and garlic, until onion is soft and translucent.
Add the rice, and saute for one more minute.
Add water, salt, and stir. Taste the liquid. It should taste good already. If needed, add more salt.
Let it come to a boil, then lower the heat and close the lid halfway through, leaving it slightly open. Let it cook undisturbed. Don't stir.
Close the lid entirely once the water above the rice evaporates, but you can still see water inside the little holes that formed in the rice.
Once all the water evaporates, but the bottom of the pan is still slightly wet, remove the pan from heat, close the lid completely, and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Then add a tablespoon of butter and fluff the rice with a fork or rice paddle. Rice will become looser as you give it a few minutes to dry.
Hint: Once the water starts boiling, don't stir the rice.
You can use hot water to speed up the cooking process.
Variations
This butter rice recipe is very customizable. Here are some variations you can try:
- Extra buttery - add one or 2 extra tablespoons of butter for extra buttered rice.
- Extra flavor - use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water for extra flavor.
- Veggie edition- You can add some cooked vegetables to make it more complete with nutrients.
Storage
According to FoodSafety.gov, leftover rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or it can be kept frozen for 1-2 months. In fact, according to scientific studies, chilled rice can contain up to 60% fewer calories than freshly cooked rice.
Top tips for the perfect Butter rice
- Taste the liquid before placing de lid and letting the rice cook. The water should be tasty, almost like a "rice soup." If the liquid lacks flavor, it probably needs more salt.
- Never stir your rice once the water has started boiling. Let it cook undisturbed until the rice is done, including the resting time. If you stir it, it will become gummy and sticky.
- Don't skip the 5 minutes of rest. This time is crucial for the rice to finish cooking with the steam trapped inside.
- If you like fluffy rice, don't skip the rinsing. The more you wash the rice, the more starch will be removed, and the less sticky it will be.
Rice safety
According to Toby Amidor, a registered dietitian specialized in food safety, it is very important to properly handle cooked rice to ensure it's safe to eat. Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that can lead to foodborne illness, thrives in moist conditions, such as cooked rice. When serving rice, we must remember that bacteria proliferate between 40°F and 140°F. If rice sits at room temperature for more than two hours or one hour above 90°F, it should be discarded to avoid the risk of illness.
Store cooked rice at 40°F or below. Use re-sealable bags or containers to protect against bacteria, retain moisture, and prevent odors. Label the rice with name and date, following recommended storage times of 3-4 days in the refrigerator and 1-2 months in the freezer.
If refrigerated leftovers are properly reheated to 165°F, they can be refrigerated again and used within the previous 3-4 days timeframe. According to Amidor, following these guidelines ensures the safety and quality of cooked rice throughout storage and reheating.
How to make butter Rice in Instant Pot
The process of making butter rice in an Instant Pot is even easier. The biggest difference is the rice-to-water ratio. For the Instant Pot, the ratio is 1:1 ½. That means you'll need one cup and a half of liquid for every cup of rice.
I'll break the steps down for you here:
- On saute mode, melt butter and saute onion and garlic until soft. Add washed and drained rice, and saute it for one more minute.
- Add the water and salt; if making 2 cups of rice, you'll need 3 cups of water. Stir, scraping the bottom of the pan, then taste the liquid, adding more salt if necessary.
- Close the lid and turn the knob to the sealing position if your model doesn't close it automatically. Set it to cook on high pressure for 6 minutes, or press the rice button if your model has one.
- Once done, let it rest for 5 minutes, then remove any remaining pressure by manually turning the knob to the venting position. Open the lid, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, and fluff the rice. Don't let it sit unfluffed in the pan for too long because it's harder to fluff it once it cools down.
FAQ
Yes, you can add broth or stock; just be careful with the quantity of sodium. The amount of salt in this recipe accounts for water, so if the broth is already salted, lower the amount of salt to be added.
If the rice is still a little undercooked by the end of the resting time, close the lid again to trap the steam and wait about 10 minutes more.
If that is not enough, add up to ⅓ cup of water (depending on how undercooked your rice is), bring the pan back to lower heat for about 2 minutes with the lid entirely closed, then turn off the heat and let the rice steam again for about 10 more minutes.
Pairing
Looking for a delicious main dish to eat with butter rice? Try these:
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📖 Recipe / Receita
Butter Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 tablespoons salted butter (divided, 2 for sautéing + 1 for finishing)
- ¼ yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 cups water
- 1 ½ teaspoon table salt
Instructions
- Place rice in a fine-mesh sieve or colander and rinse it in cold water. Rub them with your hands to remove excess starch. Drain and set aside.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium pan over medium heat, and saute onion and garlic, until onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the rice, and saute for one more minute.
- Add water, salt, and stir. Taste the liquid. It should taste good already, but if needed, add more salt.
- Let it come to a boil, then lower the heat and close the lid halfway through, leaving it slightly open. Let it cook undisturbed. Don't stir.
- Close the lid entirely once the water above the rice evaporates, but you can still see water inside the little holes that form in the rice.
- Once all the water evaporates, but the bottom of the pan is still slightly wet, remove the pan from heat, keep it completely closed, and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Then open the pan, add the last tablespoon of butter, and fluff the rice with a fork or rice paddle. Rice will become looser as you give it a few minutes to dry.
Notes
- You can use hot water to speed up the cooking process.
- Never stir your rice once the water has started boiling. Let it cook undisturbed until the rice is done, including the resting time. If you stir it, it will become gummy and sticky.
- Don't skip the 5 minutes of rest. This time is crucial for the rice to finish cooking with the steam trapped inside.
- If you like fluffy rice, don't skip the rinsing. The more you wash the rice, the more starch will be removed, and the less sticky it will be.
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Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional disclaimer
All nutritional information above is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Nutritional content may vary according to brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, substitutions, optional ingredients, etc. Simple Living Recipes is not responsible for any miscalculation or misinformation in the nutrition label.
Side dishes
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