Garlic Rice

Are you looking for a healthy, delicious, gluten-free, and vegan rice recipe? Try Garlic Rice! You might have tried several garlic brown rice recipes, but today is the easiest of them all.

Made with simple ingredients, this recipe is easy, straightforward, and utterly delicious. You will get rice that is fluffy, buttery, and filled with garlicky flavor. A perfect treat for every occasion!

I just absolutely love garlic flavor, as evidenced in so many of my recipes. With this garlic rice, you can add garlic flavor to any meal. If you too love garlic, try Vegan Garlic Butter, Garlic Confit, or Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potatoes.

What Is Brown Rice?

Did you think white rice is the only type of rice there is? Well, sorry to disappoint you, but it is not valid. The world is full of versatile crops, food, and small miracles. One such miracle is the varieties of rice you can get. It’s truly amazing.

We all are familiar with white rice. It is widely consumed all over the world, especially in Asian countries. The reason white rice is white is that it is refined and processed. Because it is a grain, when you process it, you are removing germ and bran. With it goes the many health benefits of the rice.

So, when we are talking about brown rice, it gets a few extra points here. That’s because this whole grain stays whole! It is not processed or refined in any way. It is in its natural form with the germ and bran intact, and therefore it is full of health benefits. Brown rice is not just gluten-free, but it is full of many health benefits.

Because of the fact it is not processed, brown rice has a flavor that is very different from white rice. While white rice has a mild flavor and a soft and delicate texture, brown rice is quite the opposite. It is a bit chewy and has a nutty flavor. All in all, the taste and texture are pretty unique.

Types Of Brown rice

Because white rice is a refined version of brown rice, the types stay pretty much the same. You can also get different types of brown rice from the grocery store. These types include:

• Brown basmati rice: Basmati rice is known as the king of rice. It has a nutty flavor that resembles barley and a bit of sweetness as well. Furthermore, the grains have a spongy texture and stay separated upon cooking.
• Brown jasmine rice: Jasmine rice is known for its unique fragrance. They have a buttery, nutty and rich flavor. Furthermore, they are pretty firm and stay separate upon cooking.
• Brown short-grain: short-grain rice is sweet in flavor. They are quite soft and mushy upon cooking and are perfect for risotto.
• Brown long grain: these have an earthy flavor to them. Furthermore, they are also separate and firm upon cooking.

Health Benefits of Brown Rice

Brown rice is super rich in nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Therefore, it is very beneficial for your health. Here are a few of its benefits:

Ø  Brown rice is a whole grain. It is gluten-free, therefore, a perfect ingredient for people who have gluten intolerance.

Ø  It is high in vitamin B1, B3, B5, and B6.

Ø  It is rich in manganese which helps in the development of bone, improves nerve function, and also regulates blood sugar level.

Ø  It has a high fiber content. As a result, it is amazing for your digestive health. It regulates your bowel movement as well.

Ø  It contains antioxidants that reduce the free radicals in your body. It also protects your body from diseases like cancer and heart-related diseases.

Ø  It also controls the level of bad cholesterol.

Ø  It also aids in weight loss and makes you feel full for longer. It also helps in reducing belly fat.

Ø  People with diabetes should include brown rice in their diet. That’s because it helps in regulating blood sugar levels.

Ø  It contains more nutrients than white rice. Therefore, it is a perfect substitute that you can easily use instead of white rice.

Do You Have To Soak Brown Rice Before Cooking?

Whether you soak brown rice or not, it won’t have any effect on its flavor. Different cultures cook rice differently. Some prefer to soak it before cooking while some don’t.

Honestly, I don’t see any significant difference between the cooked rice that is soaked and the one that is not soaked.

However, soaking brown rice does have a few plus points. These are:

• When you soak brown rice for about 20 minutes before cooking, you are actually getting rid of phytic acid in the rice. It is a naturally occurring compound that makes the rice somewhat difficult to digest. So, for people who have a sensitive digestive system, I recommend they soak it before cooking.
• Soaking also decreases the cooking time of the rice. So, if you are soaking the rice, expect the cooking time to reduce by about 10 to 15 minutes.

Other than these two benefits, I don’t see any potential difference in the cooked rice’s texture and flavor.

Ingredient Breakdown

Here are a few simple ingredients that you need for making garlic brown rice. These ingredients are readily available in every kitchen pantry:

• Brown Rice: You can use any type of brown rice for this purpose. However, I like to use either basmati or jasmine brown rice. Don’t use short-grain rice. It is not fit for this recipe.
• Water: You need water to cook the rice. You can also use vegetable stock instead of water for more flavors.
• Vegan Butter: Use vegan butter in the end to give the rice a fluffy texture and buttery flavor.
• Vegan Bouillon: It brings in flavor. You can skip it if you are using vegetable stock instead of water.
• Garlic: it is the hero of the show! It brings in the savory and garlicky flavor.
• Green Onion: Green onion also brings in a savory flavor.

How To Cook Brown Rice?

Cooking brown rice is super easy. All you have to do is add all the ingredients to the pot and bring it to a boil. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 50 to 55 minutes until the water is evaporated. Lastly, add butter and fluff up rice using a fork. That’s it! See full instructions on How To Cook Brown Jasmine Rice.

A word of caution: if you are not soaking the rice before cooking, make sure to rinse it twice or thrice. This way, you will get rid of the dirt and debris in the rice. You wouldn’t want any gunk to get in your mouth, would you?

Can You Cook Brown Rice In An Instant pot?

Suppose you like to cook rice in an instant pot more as compared to cooking it on the stove, here is the good news! You can definitely cook garlic brown rice in an instant pot. Furthermore, you can also cook garlic brown rice in a rice cooker. Whatever suits you.

If you want to cook it in an instant pot, the whole process will be the same. The only difference will be that of cooking time. You will have to select high pressure and cook the rice for about 22 minutes. Quick-release the pressure and add butter to fluff up the rice. That’s it! Your cooking time is reduced exponentially! See How To Cook Instant Pot Brown Basmati Rice.

How To Store Garlic Brown Rice?

You can store cooked garlic brown rice by storing it in an air-tight container and placing it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. However, make sure the rice is at room temperature.

You can also freeze the cooked garlic rice, but I don’t usually recommend it. That’s because the garlic flavor gets messed up somehow when in the freezer. However, you can freeze plain cooked brown rice for about 6 months.

What To Serve With Garlic Brown Rice?

The options are unlimited! The garlic brown rice is a perfect side so much many different types of dishes. Here are a few to name:

• Stir fry: Asian style Vegetarian stir fry is jam-packed with flavors. It is a perfect dish to complement garlic brown rice.
• Vegan chili: You can serve it alongside vegan bean chili. It tastes delicious.
• Lentil curry: you can serve garlic brown rice alongside lentil curry as well. The Mediterranean flavors pair up nicely.
• Coconut curry: Whether it’s Thai coconut curry or south Indian, try it with brown rice. I am sure you won’t be disappointed.
• Lentil Meatballs – will be a huge hit at your dinner table.

More Vegan Rice Recipes

Brown Jasmine Rice

Jamaican Rice and Peas

Turmeric Coconut Rice

Jollof Rice 

Instant Pot Mexican Rice

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