One-Pot Garlic Butter Rice with Spinach
A simple yet flavorful one-pot rice dish enriched with garlic butter and fresh spinach, perfect for a quick, comforting meal. This quick meals-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced, long grain white rice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup long grain white rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until the rice is well coated and slightly toasted.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 cups low sodium chicken broth and add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Step 4: Remove the lid and gently fold in 3 cups fresh spinach leaves. Cover and let the residual heat wilt the spinach for 2 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Rice with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (5 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Garlic Butter Rice with Spinach?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Butter Rice with Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Garlic Butter Rice with Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is One-Pot Garlic Butter Rice with Spinach vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
