Garlic Rice

This vegan garlic rice recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen!

This Garlic Rice Recipe Is: 

• PACKED with flavor.
• A simple side dish.
• Plant-based and Vegan.
• Pairs well with many dishes and is very versatile.
• The best garlic rice recipe!

Golden Garlic Rice: Super tasty side! 

If you’re getting bored with plain ol’ white or brown rice, this golden garlic rice is a true upgrade. The garlic, achiote, and broth give it an extra punch of flavor. If you’re not familiar with golden rice and you’re wondering how it tastes, then I would say it tastes similar to paella, but vegan of course. Fragrant, well-spiced, and delicious. 

This golden garlic rice recipe is a great staple side dish for meal prepping. Prepare a big batch early in the week and add it to many different meals throughout. My favorite way of eating it is as a filling in a giant avocado-filled burrito with beans and rice. It’s also a great base for a Mexican-inspired buddha bowl alongside some pinto beans, sliced avocados, minced cilantro, chopped tomatoes, and diced red onion. And don’t forget to top with some salsa and lime juice!. 

What is Achiote Powder? 

Never heard of achiote powder? You are in for a real treat! Achiote powder is made from annatto seeds and has a tart and peppery flavor. It’s often used for giving a dish color (like curcumin or saffron) and also adds some unique flavor to it. 

Since in this recipe we saute it in oil with the garlic first, it brings out its distinct flavor and aroma even more. You are, of course, welcome to add more garlic if you are a super fan, and the same goes for other spices you think would match this dish. Always feel empowered to play with your food!

If you've been wondering what you can add to white rice to make it extra delicious-then this garlic rice recipe is for you!

The Ingredients and Substitutes

• Neutral Oil: ¼ cup (your choice of oil)
• Achiote Powder: 1 tablespoon
• Garlic: 1 small head, peeled and minced
• Long-grain White Rice: 2 cups, (basmati, jasmine, etc)
• Vegetable Broth: 3 ½ cups
• Salt: to taste
• Orange: 1 large, (for zest, optional)

How to Make Garlic Rice

Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions!

• Combine oil, achiote powder, and chopped garlic in a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot.
• Saute over medium heat for about one minute, until garlic has softened (but is not browning).
• Add uncooked rice to the pot. Stir until rice is evenly coated with oil.
• Add vegetable broth and orange zest (if using) to the pot. Stir well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until rice is tender and has absorbed all the broth.
• Remove the pot from heat. Leaving the lid in place, allow the rice to steam in the pot for 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and fluff with a fork.
• Serve & Enjoy!

How Should I Serve Garlic Rice?

Vegan garlic rice can be served as a side or as a main dish. You can also include it with these options:

• Tofu: Cook up your favorite tofu recipe to serve with the garlic rice. If you're new to tofu, here's a great Guide to Tofu you might find handy! 
• Wraps: This garlic rice recipe would be delicious in a wrap.
• Rice Bowls: Use the garlic rice as a foundation for a rice bowl, and then scoop on your favorite toppings.

Recipe Notes & Tips

• Consider adding in some fresh herbs to add even more flavor to this dish.
• Dress this rice up by turning it into fried rice. Just add in some tofu and frozen veggies and you will have a quick fried rice dinner ready.

FAQs

• Can I add veggies to the garlic rice recipe? Yes! Feel free to roast or sautee veggies and serve them with garlic rice.
• Can I make garlic rice in a rice cooker? You can! Add all ingredients to the rice cooker and set to appropriate cooking time.
• What should I do with my leftover garlic rice? Turn it into quick fried rice, reheat for lunch the next day, or add to a burrito. The opportunities are endless!

More Side Dishes You’ll Love

• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Stuffing
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Scalloped Potatoes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Garlic Rice

Honor

If you're looking for a new and delicious rice recipe, this one is a great new option to pair with your meals! The achiote powder really brings out a vibrant and unique color to your plate. Enjoy!

4.66 from 23 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 cups

Calories 321 kcal

METHOD Stove

DIET Vegan

Equipment

• ▢
  Heavy-bottomed pot
• ▢
  Microplane Grater
• ▢
  Measuring spoons
• ▢
  Measuring Cups
• ▢
  Wooden Spoon

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ ¼ cup of neutral oil your choice
• ▢ 1 tablespoon of achiote powder
• ▢ 1 small head of garlic peeled and minced
• ▢ 2 cups of long-grain white rice
• ▢ 3 ½ cups of vegetable broth
• ▢ Salt to taste
• ▢ Zest of one large orange optional

Instructions

 

• In a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot, combine oil, achiote powder and chopped garlic. Saute over medium heat for about one minute, until garlic has softened (but is not browning).
• Add uncooked rice to the pot. Stir until rice is evenly coated with oil.
• Add vegetable broth and orange zest (if using) to the pot. Stir well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover with lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until rice is tender and has absorbed all the broth.
• Remove the pot from heat. Leaving the lid in place, allow the rice to steam in the pot for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork.

Notes

• Consider adding in some fresh herbs to add even more flavor to this dish.
• Dress this rice up by turning it into fried rice. Just add in some tofu and frozen veggies and you will have a quick fried rice dinner ready.

Nutrition

Calories: 321kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 552mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 292IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg

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