Lemon Basil Rice

5 from 6 votes

This easy 30-minute Lemon Basil Rice is perfectly fresh, zesty, and delicious. With star ingredients like butter, fresh basil, lemon juice, and lemon zest, this refreshing side dish pairs well with anything and everything!

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 203

Author Jessica Kwon

Ingredients

1 cup white jasmine rice
1 cup water
¾ cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice about ½ lemon
⅓ cup fresh basil chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place rice in a bowl or colander. Rinse until water comes out clear.
Pour water and broth into a small pot. Cover with a lid and heat on high until boiling.
Carefully add the butter, rice, and salt. Stir to combine and then place the lid back on. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Try not to peek or else the steam will escape.
After the 10 minutes, turn off the heat and let sit, covered still, for 15 minutes undisturbed.
Add the lemon zest and juice. Use a fork or spoon to fluff the rice and season to taste. When ready to serve, stir in basil.

Notes

Instant Pot: Combine 1 cup washed white rice and 1 cup liquid (water or broth). Cook on Manual: High Pressure for 3 minutes, then let release naturally for 10 minutes. Stir in the butter, lemon juice, zest, and ½ teaspoon salt. Then add in the fresh basil.
Rice Cooker: Cook the rice with water or broth, and adjust the amount of liquid to your rice cooker's instructions. Once cooked, stir in the butter, lemon juice, zest, and ½ teaspoon salt. Then add in the fresh basil and season to taste.
You can use pre-cooked or leftover rice in this dish, but it may not be as flavorful or fluffy. Heat it up before stirring in the lemon juice, zest, butter, and basil.
If substituting with brown rice, I would recommend using a rice cooker (Brown Rice setting) or Instant Pot (Manual: High Pressure for 15 minutes with 5 minute natural release) to cook the rice. Adjust the liquids as needed for the equipment you're using.
To make this vegan, use vegetable broth or water instead of chicken broth. You can replace the butter with refined coconut oil or leave it out.

Nutrition