Steamed Garlic Rice with Toasted Coconut

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-29 · Updated 2026-06-29

Fragrant steamed rice cooked with garlic and topped with toasted coconut flakes for a uniquely Filipino-inspired side dish with nutty aroma and flavor. This Filipino-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs jasmine rice, water, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
3. Step 3: Add the rinsed rice to the saucepan and stir to coat each grain with garlic oil, cooking for 1 minute.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 1/2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Step 5: While rice cooks, toast 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant.
6. Step 6: Remove rice from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top before serving.