Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe

Introduction

This buttery seasoned rice is a flavorful and comforting side dish that elevates plain rice with a blend of herbs and spices. Easy to prepare, it pairs beautifully with a variety of meals and adds a delicious, savory touch to your plate.

Ingredients

• 2 cups long grain white rice, uncooked (see Note 1 for brown rice)
• 3 1/4 cups cold tap water
• 2 tsp chicken powder or granulated bouillon (or 2 cubes dissolved in boiling water)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp dried parsley (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 50g (3 tbsp) unsalted butter, or more to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place all rice ingredients—including rice, water, chicken powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper—into a large saucepan and stir well to combine.
2. Step 2: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat until the edges bubble and the surface ripples. Once simmering, cover with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low (or low for strong stoves), maintaining a gentle simmer.
3. Step 3: Cook the rice for 13 minutes without lifting the lid to ensure even cooking and proper steam retention.
4. Step 4: After 13 minutes, tilt the pot carefully and quickly lift the lid just enough to check if the water is fully absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove the pot from heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 10 minutes to finish steaming.
6. Step 6: Add the butter and gently fluff the rice with a rubber spatula to incorporate the butter evenly. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a healthier version, substitute brown rice but increase cooking time and water amount as needed.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a handful of toasted nuts for extra flavor and texture.
• If using a rice cooker, combine all ingredients with the same water-to-rice ratio and cook according to your machine’s instructions, then stir in butter before serving.

Storage

Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, sprinkle a little water over the rice and warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop to restore moisture and fluffiness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but note that it requires more water and a longer cooking time. Adjust accordingly and test for doneness before finishing.

What if I don’t have chicken powder or bouillon?

You can use vegetable bouillon or a pinch of salt and a bit more herbs to maintain flavor. Alternatively, cooking the rice in broth instead of water works well too.

Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 97 reviews

• Author: Sophie
• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Buttery Seasoned Rice recipe combines long grain white rice with a blend of savory spices and herbs, cooked to fluffy perfection with butter for a rich and comforting side dish. Quick and easy to prepare on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, it’s a versatile accompaniment to any meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Rice and Seasoning

• 2 cups long grain white rice, uncooked
• 3 1/4 cups cold tap water
• 2 tsp chicken powder or granulated bouillon (or 2 cubes dissolved in boiling water)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp dried parsley (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Finishing

• 50g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter (or more if desired)

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Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: Place the rice, water, chicken powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper in a large saucepan. Stir to mix all ingredients together evenly.
2. Bring to Simmer: Heat the saucepan over medium-high heat until the edges bubble and the entire surface ripples. Once simmering, cover with a lid and turn the heat down to medium-low (or low for strong stoves) to maintain a gentle simmer.
3. Cook Without Lifting Lid: Let the rice cook for 13 minutes without lifting the lid to ensure proper steaming and absorption of water.
4. Check Water Absorption: After 13 minutes, tilt the pot and quickly lift the lid to confirm that all the water has been absorbed by the rice.
5. Rest the Rice: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand for 10 minutes with the lid still on to allow the rice to finish steaming.
6. Add Butter and Fluff: Add the unsalted butter to the rice and fluff gently with a rubber spatula to incorporate the butter and separate the grains. Serve immediately.
7. Storage: Store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for best quality. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
8. Rice Cooker Option: Combine all ingredients as listed in a rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Stir in butter after cooking and fluff before serving.

Notes

• For a healthier variation, substitute brown rice but increase cooking time and water quantity accordingly.
• If using bouillon cubes instead of powder, dissolve them in boiling water before adding to rice.
• The amount of butter can be adjusted to taste; adding more will increase richness.
• Ensure not to lift the lid during cooking to maintain proper steaming and texture.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 13 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: buttery rice, seasoned rice, side dish, stovetop rice recipe, easy rice, savory rice, dinner side