If you’re craving a comforting dish that’s both simple and bursting with flavor, this Buttered Corn Rice Recipe is your new best friend. It blends fluffy, perfectly cooked rice with sweet corn kernels and rich, creamy butter, creating a harmony of textures and tastes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re looking for a side dish that complements almost anything or a cozy meal all on its own, this recipe checks all the boxes with ease and a touch of homemade charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Buttered Corn Rice Recipe is straightforward, yet essential for building that lovely balance of flavors and textures. They come together simply but pack a punch that elevates this humble dish to something special and satisfying.
- 1 cup long-grain white rice: Jasmine or basmati rice works perfectly for a light, fluffy texture.
- 2 cups water or broth: Using broth adds extra flavor depth, so choose chicken or vegetable stock when you want to boost the taste.
- 1 cup corn kernels: Fresh, frozen, or canned and drained, corn adds a natural sweetness and bite to the dish.
- 2 tablespoons butter: This is the magic ingredient that provides incredible creaminess and richness.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic infuses a subtle aromatic warmth that complements the butter beautifully.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Adjust according to your taste to season the entire dish perfectly.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds just enough spice to round out the flavors.
- Optional: chopped parsley or green onions: For a fresh and vibrant garnish.
How to Make Buttered Corn Rice Recipe
Step 1: Rinse and Prepare the Rice
Start by rinsing your rice under cold running water until it runs clear. This step is key to removing excess starch so your rice cooks up nice and fluffy instead of sticky. It’s a little extra step that makes a big difference in texture.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic in Butter
Next, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a pot over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. This releases the garlic’s flavor and blends it beautifully with the butter, laying the foundation for the rice.
Step 3: Toast the Rice
Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir it around, letting it toast lightly for 1 to 2 minutes. Toasting the rice brings out a gentle nuttiness and helps keep the grains separate during cooking, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Step 4: Add Liquid and Seasonings
Pour in your water or broth and sprinkle in the salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. This step is crucial for steaming the rice perfectly without drying it out.
Step 5: Incorporate the Corn
When your rice has about 5 minutes left to cook, stir in the corn kernels. This timing ensures the corn heats through and retains its sweetness and slight crunch without overcooking.
Step 6: Finish and Fluff
Once the rice is done, remove the pot from heat and let it sit, still covered, for 5 minutes. Then fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and the black pepper. This final buttery touch ties everything together beautifully.
How to Serve Buttered Corn Rice Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions adds a lovely pop of color and a hint of fresh flavor that balances the richness of the butter. It also makes your Buttered Corn Rice Recipe look stunning on the table.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, seared fish, or roasted vegetables. Its mild and buttery profile complements bold and savory proteins perfectly, making it a versatile side for all sorts of meals.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the rice in hollowed-out bell peppers or inside mini squash for a charming, individual presentation. Or, for a fun twist, mix in some shredded cooked chicken and a sprinkle of parmesan to turn it into a satisfying one-pot meal everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, making the next-day rice even tastier.
Freezing
You can freeze Buttered Corn Rice Recipe in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Portion it out to make quick meals easy and accessible whenever you need a comforting side on hand.
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to keep the rice moist. Stirring occasionally helps restore the fluffy texture and mixes the butter evenly throughout.
FAQs
Can I use different types of rice for this recipe?
Absolutely! While jasmine or basmati rice works best for fluffy texture, you can try medium-grain rice or even brown rice if you prefer. Just note that cooking times may vary slightly.
Is it necessary to rinse the rice before cooking?
Rinsing helps remove excess starch from the rice, which prevents clumping and ensures a lighter, fluffier end result. It’s a small step with a big impact on texture.
Can I substitute the butter with oil?
You can use olive oil or another cooking oil, but butter provides a unique creamy richness and subtle sweetness that’s central to the Buttered Corn Rice Recipe’s signature taste.
How do I make this recipe vegan?
To make the recipe vegan, swap butter for a plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and use vegetable broth instead of any animal-based broth. The flavor will still be deliciously rich!
Can I add other vegetables or proteins?
Definitely! This dish is a fantastic base to customize, so feel free to add bell peppers, peas, or cooked shredded chicken to make it more filling and colorful.
Final Thoughts
Making this Buttered Corn Rice Recipe feels like a little moment of joy in your kitchen. It’s simple, hearty, and packed with comforting flavors that everyone will adore. So, grab your ingredients and give this easy recipe a try—it might just become your new go-to family favorite for busy weeknights or weekend feasts alike!
Print
Buttered Corn Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Buttered Corn Rice is a simple, comforting side dish featuring fluffy long-grain white rice cooked with sweet corn kernels and rich butter. This easy recipe includes garlic sautéed for aroma and is finished with a buttery, peppery touch. Perfect as a standalone side or a base for adding proteins or vegetables, it comes together quickly using stovetop simmering for a deliciously buttery and subtly sweet rice dish.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati works well)
- 2 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable for extra flavor)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned & drained)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped parsley or green onions for garnish
Optional Add-Ins
- Grated parmesan
- A squeeze of lemon juice
- Paprika or chili flakes for heat
- Cooked shredded chicken for a full meal
Instructions
- Rinse the rice: Rinse the long-grain white rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch and prevent clumping during cooking.
- Sauté the garlic and toast rice: In a pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the rinsed rice and toast it lightly for 1 to 2 minutes, coating the grains with butter and garlic flavor.
- Add liquid and salt: Pour in 2 cups of water or broth and add ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer the rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer undisturbed for 15 minutes.
- Incorporate the corn: Five minutes before the rice finishes cooking, gently stir in 1 cup of corn kernels to allow them to heat through and meld with the rice flavors.
- Let it rest: After cooking time completes, remove the pot from heat but keep it covered. Let the rice rest for 5 minutes to steam and become fluffy.
- Finish and season: Fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper for richness and seasoning.
- Garnish and serve: Add chopped parsley or green onions if desired and serve the buttery corn rice warm as a flavorful side dish or base for your meal.
Notes
- Use broth instead of water to add extra depth of flavor.
- Adjust salt to taste especially if using salted broth.
- Fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels can all be used—just drain canned corn well.
- Optional add-ins like parmesan, lemon juice, or shredded chicken can make the dish more substantial.
- Cover the pot tightly while simmering to prevent steam from escaping.
- Fluffing the rice with a fork helps keep grains separate and light.
