This simply seasoned rice recipe that has great flavor and pairs with almost any meal!
This foolproof recipe ensures every grain is infused with lots of savory flavor, it’s so much better than packaged rice and doesn’t take much longer!
An Easy Rice Side Dish
I’d have to say rice is one of my favorite side dishes, regardless of how it’s prepared. We especially love this rice recipe because it’s versatile and this basic recipe pairs well with almost any cuisine or even just grilled meats or baked chicken.
- Rice is a budget-friendly side dish, perfect for a big family or to feed a crowd.
- It uses a handful of ingredients you likely have on hand.
- We love that we know exactly what is in this homemade version and can control the ingredients.
- Homemade seasoned rice is so versatile. Stick to this easy recipe or make your own creation!
Ingredients & Variations
RICE: One cup of uncooked white rice will yield 3 cups of cooked. Brown rice, wild rice, basmati, or jasmine rice will all work in this recipe, cooking time and liquid may need to be altered.
SEASONINGS: Rice absorbs the flavors of anything it’s cooked with and the recipe below includes our favorite rice seasoning! A bit of soy sauce adds salt while Worcestershire adds great flavor.
Experiment outside the box and try homemade lemon pepper seasoning, Greek seasoning, or add in fresh herbs right before serving! Try garlic powder, paprika, thyme or oregano. Stir in finely chopped vegetables like celery, carrots or bell pepper for additional color and flavor.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with sauces and dressings, either!
How to Season Rice
Seasoned rice tastes best when the seasoning is cooked into the grains instead of mixed with them.
- Cook the rice in a little bit of butter until slightly browned. Add onion & garlic, cook until softened.
- Add remaining ingredients, cover, & cook (per recipe below).
- Remove from heat & let rice rest for about 5 minutes.
Once the rice has cooked and rested, gently fluff up the grains with a fork. Season with additional salt & pepper to taste.
Tips for Perfectly Seasoned Rice
- Lightly browning the rice before cooking adds flavor (and also helps keep the grains separated).
- Keep the lid on the rice while the rice is simmering and resting to keep the steam in (this helps it to cook and avoids it getting sticky).
- The recipe below is for long grain white rice. If you use a different variety of rice, cooking time (and the liquid ratio) may change. If you’re uncertain, check the package of rice for this information.
- Double the batch and freeze half for a ready-to-eat side dish when time is tight!
- Keep leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge or store in the freezer.
More Rice Favorites
- Our Favorite Mushroom Rice – simple yet flavorful
- 4 Ingredient Chicken Rice Casserole
- Garlic Butter Rice
- Stovetop Chicken and Rice – so easy!
- Easy Rice Pilaf
- Tomato Basil Rice – zesty and full of flavor
- Easy Fried Rice Recipe
Did your family love this Seasoned Rice? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Seasoned Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- ¼ cup onion finely minced
- 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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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.
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.