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Butter Rice

Butter Rice

Discover an easy and foolproof way to make perfectly fluffy and flavorful Butter Rice. With simple pantry staples like long-grain rice, unsalted butter, and broth or water, this recipe delivers tender, buttery rice every time. Perfect as a versatile side dish, it pairs well with a variety of meals and can be customized with herbs, spices, or vegan alternatives.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain rice (Basmati or Jasmine recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1.5 to 1.75 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable)
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Optional Aromatics

  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the Rice Thoroughly: Start by rinsing your long-grain rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps prevent clumping for the perfect fluffy texture.
  2. Melt Butter and Toast the Rice: In a heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the rinsed and drained rice, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes until the grains are lightly toasted and coated with butter. This deepens flavor and helps the rice remain separate.
  3. Add Liquid and Seasoning: Pour in your water or broth along with the salt and any optional aromatics like bay leaf or garlic. Give it a quick stir, then bring it to a gentle boil.
  4. Simmer Covered Until Cooked: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot tightly. Let the rice simmer for 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid. This steaming process cooks the rice evenly and locks in moisture.
  5. Let It Rest Before Fluffing: After cooking, remove the pot from heat but keep it covered for an additional 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the rice to absorb any remaining steam and firm up for ideal texture.
  6. Fluff and Serve: Using a fork, gently fluff the rice to separate the grains and serve. The butter rice should look light, tender, and glistening with buttery goodness.

Notes

  • Rinse the rice well to remove starch for fluffy, non-sticky grains.
  • Use a tight-fitting lid to trap steam during cooking and resting.
  • Avoid stirring or peeking while the rice cooks to prevent breaking grains.
  • Measure liquids accurately; about 1.5 to 1.75 cups liquid per 1 cup rice works best.
  • Let the rice rest covered after cooking to enhance texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: butter rice, fluffy rice, easy rice recipe, buttery rice, side dish, basmati rice, jasmine rice, stovetop rice