Garlic Rice Recipe (Simple, Aromatic & Flavorful)
If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful rice dish that instantly upgrades any meal, this garlic rice recipe is the answer. It’s fragrant, lightly buttery, and packed with bold garlic flavor—yet made with the most basic ingredients.
Garlic rice is perfect as:
✅ a side dish with curries or gravies
✅ a base for stir-fries
✅ a light standalone meal
✅ a restaurant-style rice without extra effort
Let’s make easy garlic rice at home in under 20 minutes 🍚🧄✨
Quick Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 15–18 minutes
- Servings: 2–3
- Difficulty: Easy
What is Garlic Rice?
Garlic rice is a simple rice dish where cooked rice is tossed with:
- sautéed garlic
- butter or oil
- mild seasonings
It’s popular across Asian cuisines (Thai, Filipino, Indo-Chinese) and loved because it’s:
- not spicy
- deeply aromatic
- comforting
- extremely versatile
Ingredients for Garlic Rice
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old, cooled)
- 2 tbsp butter (or oil for vegan version)
- 8–10 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- Salt to taste
Optional Add-ins (Highly Recommended)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp spring onions (chopped)
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp soy sauce (optional, Indo-Chinese touch)
Tools You’ll Need
- Pan or wok
- Spatula
- Knife + chopping board
Step-by-Step Garlic Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
Use cold, cooked rice for best results.
✅ Tip:
Fresh hot rice can turn mushy. If using fresh rice, spread it on a plate and let it cool for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic
- Heat butter in a pan on low to medium flame.
- Add chopped garlic.
- Sauté slowly until garlic turns light golden and aromatic.
⚠️ Do not brown too much—burnt garlic becomes bitter.
Step 3: Add Rice
- Add cooked rice to the pan.
- Gently break lumps with a spatula.
- Mix so garlic coats the rice evenly.
Step 4: Season the Rice
Add:
- salt to taste
- black pepper
- chili flakes (optional)
- soy sauce (optional)
Mix gently and cook for 2–3 minutes on medium flame.
Step 5: Finish & Garnish
Switch off the flame.
Add chopped spring onions if using.
Your simple garlic rice is ready to serve 🧄🍚
How to Serve Garlic Rice
Garlic rice pairs beautifully with:
✅ Paneer gravy
✅ Dal fry or dal makhani
✅ Stir-fried vegetables
✅ Chili paneer or tofu
✅ Grilled chicken or fish
✅ Fried egg on top (simple & satisfying)
It also works great inside wraps and bowls.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Rice
✅ Use day-old rice
✅ Chop garlic finely for even flavor
✅ Cook garlic on low flame
✅ Don’t overmix rice
✅ Adjust butter/oil as per taste
Delicious Variations
1) Butter Garlic Rice
Add extra butter for rich restaurant-style taste.
2) Garlic Fried Rice
Add veggies like carrot, beans, capsicum, and peas.
3) Egg Garlic Rice
Scramble 1–2 eggs before adding rice.
4) Vegan Garlic Rice
Use oil instead of butter.
5) Cheesy Garlic Rice
Add grated cheese at the end and cover for 1 minute.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: stays fresh for 1 day
- Reheat: pan or microwave with a few drops of water
✅ Garlic rice tastes best fresh.
Nutrition (Approx Per Serving)
- Calories: 220–280 kcal
- Carbs: 40–45g
- Fat: 6–8g
- Protein: 4–5g
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using hot, freshly cooked rice
❌ Burning garlic
❌ Adding too much soy sauce
❌ Overcooking after adding rice
❌ Cooking on very high flame
Conclusion
This garlic rice recipe is proof that simple ingredients can create amazing flavor. It’s quick, comforting, and works with almost any meal. Once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to it whenever you need a fast and tasty rice dish.
