Heart-Healthy Butter Rice
Elevate your mealtime with Heart-Healthy Butter Rice, a wholesome twist on a classic comfort food that's perfect for health-conscious eaters. This recipe combines nutrient-rich brown rice with the savory goodness of sautéed onions, garlic, and a splash of low-sodium vegetable broth for layers of flavor without the guilt. Finished with creamy plant-based butter, fresh parsley, and a zest of lemon, each bite offers a harmonious balance of richness and freshness. Ready in under an hour, this quick and easy dish makes an ideal side or stand-alone meal, packed with heart-healthy fats and fragrant herbs. Whether you're looking to boost your nutrition or enjoy a guilt-free indulgence, this recipe ticks all the boxes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted plant-based butter
- 1 garlic clove
- 0.5 medium onion
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the brown rice under cold water to remove excess starch and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat.
Finely chop the onion and garlic. Add them to the saucepan, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the rinsed brown rice to the saucepan and stir to coat the rice in the oil and onion mixture, toasting lightly for about 2 minutes.
Pour in the water and vegetable broth, then add the salt and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the rice simmer for 35 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
Once cooked, remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the rice to steam.
Finely chop the fresh parsley and add it to the cooked rice along with the unsalted plant-based butter and lemon zest.
Fluff the rice with a fork to distribute the butter and herbs evenly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve warm as a nutritious side dish or a light main course, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
719 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 51.0 g | 65% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.2 g | 61% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1353 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 59.1 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.5 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.5 g | ||
| Protein | 6.7 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 98 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 499 mg | 11% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
