If you’re on the hunt for a flavorful and easy side dish that can be made in just your rice cooker, look no further! My Garlic Butter Corn Rice is a combination of garlic, rich butter, and sweet corn that will elevate any meal.
Perfect for busy weeknights or as a delicious addition to your weekend dinners, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. I also like to make extra to make onigiri the next day as well!
Using a rice cooker for this recipe simplifies the cooking process, allowing minimal effort and cleanup. Rice cookers are incredibly versatile and can handle a variety of ingredients, making them perfect for creating dishes like this Garlic Butter Corn Rice.
How to Enjoy Garlic Butter Corn Rice
Here are a few different ways you can enjoy my garlic butter corn rice! Here are some options:
- Onigiri (Rice Balls): Shape the rice into small, handheld rice balls for a portable, savory snack or lunch.
- Side Dish: Serve it alongside grilled chicken, steak, or fish for a flavorful, comforting side that complements any main dish.
- Rice Bowl: Top the garlic butter corn rice with a fried egg, avocado slices, or sautéed veggies.
- Stir-Fry: Add it to a wok or skillet with your favorite stir-fry ingredients (like shrimp, tofu, or veggies) for a garlic-flavored fried rice.
What Type of Rice to Use
Choosing the right type of rice can be confusing, especially with so many varieties available. In Japanese cooking, however, Japanese short-grain or medium-grain rice is almost always the go-to choice.
Short-grain rice, often labeled as sushi rice, is particularly prized for its soft and chewy texture, which pairs beautifully with traditional Japanese dishes. Medium-grain rice is a great alternative if short-grain isn’t available (I actually almost always use medium-grain myself because it’s generally cheaper where I live!). Both are ideal for recipes like this one, where the rice’s stickiness helps meld the flavors into every bite.
Recommended Rice Cookers
Do I need to have a fancy rice cooker? NO! Just like anything, generally, the higher the quality, the better. But you can make great rice in a cheap rice cooker, too!
5.5 cups or 10 cups
2 cups
Click the rice cooker photos to see my favorite rice cookers. I included a budget-friendly rice cooker I love! I use the Tiger 5.5-cup model shown. About 1/2 cup of Japanese short- or medium-grain rice makes 1 serving.
Key Features to Look For in a Rice Cooker:
- Timer and Keep Warm Function: Useful for planning meals ahead of time and keeping them warm until you’re ready to eat.
- Steaming Basket or Tray: Allows you to steam vegetables or cook other ingredients while the rice cooks.
- Multiple Cooking Functions: Ensure it has settings for steaming, slow cooking, and possibly even baking.
- Non-Stick Inner Pot: Makes cleaning easier and prevents sticking.
Other Ingredients
- Chicken or Beef Broth: Adds savory depth and replaces water for more flavorful rice. You can definitely replace with water! I like to use broth that is high in protein, like this Kettle & Fire one, which has 10 grams of protein for every cup.
- Garlic: Brings a warm, aromatic punch that elevates the overall dish.
- Butter: Creates a rich, silky texture and helps carry the garlic flavor throughout the rice. The higher quality butter you can use, the better! I personally love Vital Farms or KerryGold brands.
- Corn Kernels: Adds natural sweetness. Fresh or canned corn both work well. I usually go with canned for convenience. If you’re up for a bit more effort, grilling the corn beforehand adds a delicious smoky flavor.
- Black Pepper: A simple seasoning that rounds out the flavors with a subtle kick.
Garlic Butter Corn Rice (Easy Rice Cooker Recipe)
- Total Time: 25-35 minutes
Description
This Garlic Butter Corn Rice is a blend of savory garlic, rich butter, and sweet corn all made in one-pot – a rice cooker!
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice (I recommend Japanese short-grain or medium grain rice for the most authentic Japanese experience!), uncooked
- Chicken/beef broth (substitute for water – amount explained in the instructions)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup corn kernels
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Begin by giving your rice a good rinse to clean it.
- Pour the rice into the rice cooker or pot and add the appropriate amount of liquid, following the instructions on your rice package. Use bone broth in place of water, matching the liquid amount specified for your type of rice. (NOTE: This is why I highly recommend using a rice cooker – it takes the guesswork out by showing you exactly how much water you need, making the process much easier. Here is my recommended rice cooker!)
- Add the minced garlic and corn kernels to the rice cooker or pot, right on top of the rice.
- Cook the rice for the same amount of time you normally would when making plain rice. I do not specify a time since it can vary depending on your rice cooker. For example, mine has a “Plain” setting that I use for cooking regular white rice.
- Once the rice is cooked, add the butter on top and season with black pepper and salt. Gently mix the rice to ensure the butter melts and is evenly distributed throughout the rice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
This is such a good side with all the Asian dishes I like to make!! Idk why but corn goes so well in Asian rice too.
Corn is so good for sure! Thanks for sharing, Brielle 🙂
The garlic flavor really infused into the rice and balanced nicely with the sweetness of the corn.
Thank you for your review, Sabrina! 🙂