Seasoned rice is an easy way to turn plain white rice into a delicious side dish. This quick stovetop recipe cooks rice with onion and garlic in seasoned broth for great flavor in every grain.
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Notes From The Test Kitchen
Rice is one of my favorite side dishes because it goes with almost anything. This seasoned rice recipe turns basic white rice into a flavorful side with a few kitchen staples.
• Pairs with almost any main dish, from baked chicken to grilled steak or pork chops.
• Rice is a budget-friendly side dish.
• Uses ingredients you likely have on hand.
• We love that we know exactly what is in this homemade version and can control the ingredients.
Seasoned Rice Ingredient Tips
- Rice: I use white rice in this recipe but you can replace it with brown rice, wild rice, basmati, or jasmine rice. Adjust the cooking time and liquid according to the package directions.
- Onion/Garlic: Onion and garlic add flavor. You can replace them with 1 teaspoon onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Seasoning: The rice will absorb the flavors from the broth and seasonings. Soy sauce adds salt and a savory flavor while Worcestershire adds a bit of depth.
Variations
- Broth can be replaced with bouillon cubes and water. Low sodium broth may need extra salt added.
- Add dried herbs and spices before cooking. Try paprika, thyme or oregano.
- Stir in finely chopped vegetables like celery, carrots or bell pepper for additional color and flavor.
Holly’s Tips for Fluffy Seasoned Rice
- Lightly brown the rice before cooking to add flavor and help keep the grains separated.
- Seasoned rice tastes best when the seasoning is cooked into the grains instead of mixed in after cooking.
- Avoid lifting the lid or peeking while the rice is cooking.
- Keep leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge or store in the freezer.
More Rice Side Dishes
Did your family love this Seasoned Rice? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- ¼ cup finely diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups beef broth or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Place rice and 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan with a lid. Heat over medium high heat until the rice starts to slightly brown.
- Add onion and garlic, cook 2-3 minutes or until slightly softened.
- Add remaining ingredients (except butter) and stir. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook 20 minutes, do not open the lid.
- Remove from the heat (without opening the lid) and let rest 5 minutes.
- Open the lid, add the remaining butter, and stir. Fluff with a fork, taste, and season with additional salt & pepper if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Side Dish
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This is the only rice recipe that always comes out perfectly for me! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
So glad to hear this recipe is a hit with you!
Great. I added frozen peas and herbs from my garden.
Delicious! Garden herbs and veggies make everything better.
I was surprised how good this recipe is because it’s so simple to make. Tried it with jasmine rice, but don’t recommend that as it became a bit mushy.
Delicious! Family loved it. Usually I just make white rice with gravy, well not anymore. This recipe was quick and easy. Will make this recipe quite often.
Thank you.
I made this twice. The first time I used exactly what the recipe said and it was good. The second I used cilantro instead of parsley it was even better. The liquid needed to be slightly reduced for me. Don’t know if it’s the rice or my stove but it gets slightly overcooked. I added an extra clove of garlic the second time. Loved the recipe!
Do you rinse the rice before browning it? For example with basmati rice
Hi Kay, I would check your specific rice before using it but it is recommended to rinse your rice. Enjoy!
I’ve made this several times now. Very easy. Directions are awesome. The grandkids love it, the 8-month-old just started eating it and loves it! Thanks!
Thank you for a great recipe. I used this with leftover rice but followed the recipe as written. We all enjoyed it.
You’re very welcome Paula!
This is exactly what I was looking for… followed everything according to your directions, I opted for vegetable broth and fresh parsley, and it was so good!
Thank you Holly!
Made this last night with one of your pork tenderloin recipes. absolutely delicious. Will make it again.
Delicious! So much flavor. Will definitely make it again.
So happy to hear that, Michelle!
Im confused, are we meant to cook rice in a saucepan with water or frypan without water first?
There is no mention of cooking rice in water and there is mention of cooking in a fry pan first so im all a bit confused. Thanks for helping me understand.
You can tap the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the recipe for full details. The rice is lightly cooked in butter with no water in step 1 and then broth is added in step 3. The rice is cooked in a saucepan.
I read that, but it doesnt say when you move the rice from the pan to water.But thank you, im guessing its at step 2.
The rice is browned and cooked in broth in the same pan. The broth is added to the rice in step 3.
Yum! Delicious and easy – just what we needed tonight. I ran out of butter so I used olive oil and it turned out just fine.
I made this on 17 Jun 2022, used all the ingredients as stated, but I use a rice cooker. The results? Absolutely brilliant rice! I and the family truly loved this rice, wonderful flavor, this will be a regular now. The family has rice at every meal, and when I make a seasoned rice, they are always hits, and this one was so good. Worthy of 10 stars :) Thank you, Holly, for another wonderful recipe.
I’m so glad you loved it Lee, thank you for sharing the rice cooker tip!
I want to make this in my rice cooker. Do you still brown the rice in butter before putting it in the rice cooker or do you just throw everything in there at one time?
Browning the rice adds another layer of flavor. If time allows then I would brown it but if not, you can skip it, however, the onion should be slightly softened.
Made this today and it is very easy and very good. Added a little chopped grilled chicken and it was its own meal.
The seasoned rice recipe was delicious, economical and very easy to make. My family loved it, even the kids. I used long grain brown rice. I will no longer buy the boxed rice with spice packs.
Thanks for another great recipe.
So glad your family loved it Nora!
This was a hit tonight. My husband said it was the best rice we’ve ever had at home and that it tastes like something from a restaurant. Thanks for ANOTHER great recipe!
I’m so glad your family loved it Shannon!
The always humble BUT ever nutritious RICE, of different colors, but still very delicious, yummy!!
I now cook all my rice in my Instant Pot. Any idea how I can do your rice recipes in the Instant Pot? Makes cooking rice so much easier.
I can’t see any reason this wouldn’t work in an IP. I would cook the rice/onion on sautee and then add all seasonings and cook as you usually cook the rice. I’d love to hear how it works out for you.
Could you please explain what you mean by cooking the rice on sautee? I understand the onion, but why the rice?
Thanks
Toasting the rice enhances the flavor and adds a warm, toasty flavor.
This can be the start for Singapore fried rice, needs some shrimp, mushrooms, and omlette chopped up. Lots of soy when serving.
Sounds delicious Ron, thanks for sharing.