Elevate your family meals with this aromatic Garlic Herb Rice recipe that combines fresh herbs, butter, and perfectly fluffy grains - ready in just 30 minutes!
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Plain rice is a staple ingredient in many households across the world thanks to its versatility. But not only is rice a super simple side dish, but it can also take on additional flavors well - making it a great way to add flavor and texture to any dish.
This garlic and herbed rice recipe takes the classic side up a notch. Cooked in butter, fresh garlic, and a handful of ingredients, you can have this delicious side ready in no time. The result is a savory, buttery, fluffy rice that will complement any meal.
Not to mention, adding lemon zest brightens up the rice and complements the herbs perfectly. This herb rice recipe will make a great addition to your meal rotation - and you'll be surprised to see how quickly it comes together!
Why You'll Love This Garlic Herb Rice Recipe
- Effortless To Make: Most of this recipe is hands-off while you wait for the rice to cook, making it a great recipe for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful and delicious. The combination of herbs, garlic, butter, and lemon zest gives the rice an amazing flavor! The additional seasonings elevate what can be an otherwise boring side dish, making it the star of any meal.
- It's so versatile. There aren't many dishes this garlic butter rice won't go with! Garlic lemon herb rice can be served with many protein and veggie combinations, making it a wonderful all-around side.
🍚 I've found that rice dishes create that perfect comforting base that ties together all the flavors of a meal — plus they're .
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter
- Long grain white rice
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Fresh garlic — or garlic powder
- Lemon zest
- Fresh herbs — parsley, basil, rosemary, and oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
Variations For Garlic And Herb Rice
I love when a recipe can be customized to fit the ingredients I have in my pantry. This can make an easy recipe even easier while also helping to reduce food waste! So while I highly recommend you follow this herbed rice recipe to get the full flavor experience, here are some ideas for how to mix it up.
Switch up the herbs: You can use a different mix of fresh herbs in this herbed rice recipe, depending on what you have on hand. I personally like adding thyme! Check out my blog post on herb preservation to find some awesome herb combination ideas!
Use different types of rice: You want to stick with long grain rice for this recipe, which gives a lovely fluffy texture. But as for what variety of long-grain white rice, you can go with jasmine rice, basmati rice, or any other variety you like. Brown rice can also work if that's all you have - but it will take longer to cook, so keep this in mind.
Make it dairy-free: Olive oil is a good substitute for butter if you want to make this rice dish milk free.
Add in additional flavors: Garlic and herb rice can be easily adapted to include more flavors if you'd like. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat, or add sun-dried tomatoes for an extra flavor punch!
Swap out the broth: This recipe can use water, vegetable broth, or chicken broth. It all depends on what flavor you're going for and what type of meal you're serving the rice with.
How To Make Garlic Herb Rice
Step 1: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Add the rice and minced cloves of garlic, stir to coat.
Step 2: Pour in the broth (or substitute water).
Step 3: Cover and simmer about 20 minutes, or until almost all of the liquid is absorbed. Watch it, but don't stir or remove the lid.
Step 4: Once the rice is finished, remove the lid and turn off the heat.
Step 5: Add the lemon zest, fresh parsley, basil, rosemary, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Step 6: Lightly stir to combine.
Recipe FAQs
Definitely! Add all ingredients to your rice cooker and use the standard white rice setting. Just fold in the fresh herbs and lemon zest after cooking is complete for the brightest flavor.
It is safe to store cooked rice in the fridge. If you made a little too much or have some leftovers, you can store herbed rice in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave until fully heated through. You can also add a splash of water or broth to the rice to help keep it moist and flavorful.
Yes! This rice freezes well. Ensure it's completely cooled to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bags. You can then freeze your delicious rice for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, though the flavor profile will differ slightly. As a general rule, use one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh (about 1 teaspoon dried herbs for 1 tablespoon fresh). Add dried herbs earlier in the cooking process to allow their flavors to fully develop.
Expert Tips
- Toast the Rice First - Don't skip the step of coating the rice in butter before adding liquid. This creates a protective coating that helps each grain stay distinct and fluffy rather than clumping together.
- Respect the Lid Rule - Resist the temptation to peek or stir while cooking! Each time you lift the lid, you release essential steam needed for proper cooking and texture.
- Herb Timing Matters - Add delicate herbs like parsley and basil after cooking to preserve their bright flavors and vibrant colors; hardier herbs like rosemary can withstand more heat.
- Rest Before Serving - Allow the rice to rest for 5 minutes after cooking before fluffing with a fork. This final step helps moisture distribute evenly throughout for the perfect texture.
How to Serve Garlic Herbed Rice
This herbed rice is great served as a side dish, but it can also be used as an ingredient in other dishes. Here are some ideas for how to use this tasty rice:
- Serve it alongside reverse-seared steak or grilled salmon for a complete meal
- Use the herbed rice as a base for Buddha bowls or grain salads
- Mix it with veggies like roasted Brussels sprouts and a savory sauce for an amazing stir-fry
- Serve it with a saucy dish like chicken curry or Instant Pot turkey chili for a delicious option
- Stuff peppers or squash with the herbed rice for a flavorful dinner
- Serve it as is, topped with some freshly chopped herbs as an easy side
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Garlic and Herb Rice
Equipment
- Non-Stick Frying Pans
- Pan Set
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 ½ cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
- 1 tablespoon parsley (fresh, minced)
- ½ tablepoon basil (fresh, minced)
- 2 teaspoons rosemary (fresh, minced)
- 2 teaspoons oregano (fresh, minced)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
- Add the rice and garlic, stir to coat.
- Pour in the broth (or substitute water).
- Cover and simmer about 20 minutes, or until almost all of the liquid is absorbed. Watch it, but dont' stir or remove the lid.
- Once the rice is finished cooking, add the lemon zest, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Lightly stir to combine and fluff with a fork.
Notes
- The lemon zest might seem optional, but it provides a bright counterpoint to the rich butter and savory herbs. Use a microplane for the finest zest that distributes evenly throughout the dish.
- For even more flavor, dice an onion finely and brown in oil or butter before adding the rice.
- Resist the temptation to peek or stir while cooking! Each time you lift the lid, you release essential steam needed for proper cooking and texture.
- Chicken broth creates a classic, rich flavor, but vegetable broth works wonderfully for a vegetarian option. For a unique twist, try using mushroom broth for an earthy depth of flavor that complements the herbs beautifully.
Sue Lingman
I can't see measurement for broth in recipe
Alli
Thank you for letting me know! My mistake has been fixed and it is listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.