Toasted Almond Basmati Rice, Garlic Style

This Garlic Toasted Almond Basmati Rice recipe is unfussy and savory! Toasted, tender and aromatic basmati rice is tossed with garlic olive oil and toasted sliced almonds for a simple side dish. Yields 6 to 8 servings.

Meet my go-to side dish for simply about everything.

This rice recipe only calls for a few ingredients but it tastes standout! Both the rice and almonds are pan-toasted and tossed with garlic infused olive oil. Worth keeping the crunch from the toasted almonds and the light garlic flavor you get from the olive oil is perfection. It’s also incredibly straightforward and goes with only about anything, even by itself it’s flavor-packed.

Prepare to fall in love!

This dish calls for simply a few ingredients and a little time, but most of the “hard” work is done in the rice cooker (aka my bff) and takes about 35 minutes total.

I start by melting a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.

Once hot and bubbly, add in the basmati rice.

Stir and toast until fragrant and the rice is golden brown.

Then transfer it to the bowl of your rice cooker and season with a 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.

Fill with water to the “white rice” or “2 cup” waterline or according to the directions included with your rice cooker.

Close the lid, plug it in and press the white rice button. It’s genuinely only that straightforward. I’ve had a rice cooker for what feels like forever now and it’s still one of my most go-to kitchen appliances that I own. I’ve linked the one I have in the printable recipe at the end of this post.

Toast The Sliced Almonds:

While the rice is cooking, add 2/3 cup of sliced almonds to a small skillet or simply use the one you toasted the rice in. Over medium-low heat, toast the almonds until they start to smell nutty and are lightly golden brown. Remove off of the heat and set off to the side while waiting for the rice to finish.

SO pretty!

Once the rice has cooked, fluff with a spatula or fork.

Then pour in 1 tablespoon of garlic infused olive oil.

Add the rice to a serving dish and toss with half of the toasted almonds. Sprinkle the rest over top along with 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley.

Then sprinkle with some chopped fresh parsley for some pop of green and serve.

Everyone at the table loves this basmati rice recipe!

Enjoy! And if you give this Garlic Toasted Almond Basmati Rice recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!