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Herby Garlic Rice

Herby Garlic Rice
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Herby Garlic Rice is a simple, flavorful side dish combining fluffy long-grain rice with fresh herbs and aromatic garlic. Perfect in under 30 minutes, it enhances grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and a variety of main courses with its savory, fresh taste and customizable options.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 3–4 fresh garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh Herbs

  • Chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill (about 1/4 cup)

Optional Ingredients

  • Lemon juice or zest (to taste)
  • Chopped chili or cayenne pepper (for spicy variation)
  • Toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds (for nutty texture)
  • Other herbs like basil, mint, or thyme (for herb swaps)
  • Splash of coconut milk (for creamy version)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely mince 3-4 garlic cloves and chop your choice of fresh herbs. Rinse 1 cup of long-grain rice under cold water to remove excess starch for fluffy results.
  2. Sauté the Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and stir frequently until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes, taking care not to burn it.
  3. Toast the Rice: Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir well to coat each grain with the garlic-infused oil. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes to deepen flavor and improve texture.
  4. Add Liquids and Cook: Pour in 2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
  5. Fold in Herbs and Finish: Remove the pot from heat and fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in chopped fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice or zest if using. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, then cover and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Rinse the rice to keep it fluffy and prevent gumminess.
  • Don’t skip toasting the rice to add a subtle nutty flavor and keep grains separate.
  • Use fresh herbs for the best aroma and flavor; avoid dried substitutes when possible.
  • Let the rice rest covered after cooking to allow flavors to meld and maintain moisture.
  • Adjust garlic amount and cooking heat to control the intensity of garlic flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: herby garlic rice, garlic rice, herbed rice, side dish, easy rice recipe, quick rice, garlic and herb rice, vegetarian side, vegan rice

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/herby-garlic-rice/