Heart-Healthy Butter Rice

Elevate your mealtime with this nourishing and flavorful Heart-Healthy Butter Rice, a wholesome twist on a classic favorite that's perfect for anyone seeking nutritious comfort food. Made with hearty brown rice, a blend of low-sodium vegetable broth, and a touch of unsalted plant-based butter, this dish is packed with rich, satisfying flavors while remaining light on unhealthy fats. Aromatic garlic, onion, and fresh parsley bring a burst of freshness, complemented by a hint of zesty lemon for a bright finish. Ready in under an hour, this easy-to-make recipe is ideal as a nutritious side dish or a light, vegetarian main course. It’s heart-conscious, full of fiber, and irresistibly delicious—perfect for the health-minded foodie!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the brown rice under cold water to remove excess starch and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Finely chop the onion and garlic. Add them to the saucepan, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Pour in the water and vegetable broth, then add the salt and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Once cooked, remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the rice to steam.

Step 8

Finely chop the fresh parsley and add it to the cooked rice along with the unsalted plant-based butter and lemon zest.

Step 9

Fluff the rice with a fork to distribute the butter and herbs evenly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve warm as a nutritious side dish or a light main course, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1066.2 grams (1066.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	719

Total Fat 51.00g	65%
Saturated Fat 12.20g	61%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1353mg	59%
Total Carbohydrate 59.10g	21%
Dietary Fiber 5.50g	20%
Total Sugars 5.50g
Protein 6.70g	13%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 99mg	8%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 499mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.6%

Protein: 3.7%

Carbs: 32.7%