Fragrant Jasmine Rice with Garlic Oil (Print)

Fluffy jasmine rice delicately infused with aromatic garlic oil. A fragrant, easy Asian-inspired side dish.

# What You Need:

→ Rice Base

01 - 1 cup jasmine rice
02 - 1 ½ cups water
03 - ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Garlic Oil

04 - 2 tablespoons neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
05 - 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced

→ Optional Garnish

06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or scallions

# Directions:

01 - Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
02 - In a small saucepan, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Do not let the garlic brown.
03 - Add the rinsed rice to the saucepan and stir to coat the grains in the garlic oil for about 1 minute.
04 - Pour in the water and add salt. Stir gently and bring to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 12–15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
06 - Remove from heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
07 - Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with cilantro or scallions if desired. Serve warm.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The garlic infusion happens right at the beginning, ensuring every grain carries that perfectly balanced flavor without overwhelming the delicate jasmine notes.
  • Its secretly impressive enough for guests but requires barely more effort than making plain rice, which has saved me countless times when entertaining.
02 -
  • The single biggest mistake I made when first attempting this was stirring too aggressively once the rice was cooked, which led to a mushy consistency rather than those perfect distinct grains.
  • I discovered that allowing the pot to rest off-heat for a full five minutes isnt optional, its actually when the magic happens as the rice finishes absorbing moisture and sets up properly.
03 -
  • For an extra layer of flavor, try crushing a stalk of lemongrass and adding it to the pot with the water, removing it before serving, which introduces a subtle citrusy note that complements the garlic beautifully.
  • Toast the rice slightly longer in the garlic oil until a few grains look translucent at the edges for a subtle nutty dimension that elevates the entire dish without requiring any additional ingredients.
Go back