Want to whip up a light and flavorful meal for your whole family? You’ve got to give this Filipino Garlic Fried Rice recipe a try. Garlic rice, also known as rice sinangag, is a simple rice dish with a very versatile garlic flavor you’ll love!

garlic cilantro rice recipe

Why You’ll Love Garlic Rice

  • Ease of Preparation: This garlic rice super easy to make and requires minimal kitchen time and effort, making it very convenient.
  • Family’s Love for Garlic: My family is full of garlic enthusiasts, and this recipe perfectly satisfies our craving for anything garlic-flavored.
  • Versatility: We enjoy this delicious and flavorful rice dish at any time of the day, showcasing its adaptability to fit into any meal.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Basmati or Long Grain Rice: Forms the base of the dish, offering a light, fluffy texture and a mild flavor that absorbs other ingredients well.
  • Water: Hydrates the rice and helps it cook to a perfect, fluffy consistency.
  • Vermicelli: Adds a different texture and a slightly nutty flavor when toasted.
  • Fresh Garlic: Infuses the rice with a bold, savory flavor that’s the star of this dish.
  • Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the pungency of the garlic.
  • Neutral Flavored Oil (like Vegetable Oil): Used for sautéing the garlic and vermicelli, it adds richness without overpowering other flavors.
  • Parsley or Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note to the dish, balancing the strong garlic flavor.
Garlic Rice Ingredients.

Substitutions

Broth For Cooking Rice: To make the rice extra flavorful, you can cook the rice in vegetable broth or chicken broth instead or water.

Jasmine Rice: Can be used as a substitute for basmati or long-grain rice in the Garlic Rice recipe. Its fragrant aroma and slightly sticky texture will enhance the dish’s overall flavor profile, making it a suitable and delightful alternative.

How To Make Garlic Rice With Cilantro?

rinse rice

Step One: Wash your rice at least 5 times, or until the water isn’t cloudy anymore.

melt butter

Step Two: Mince your garlic. In a medium size pot, over medium-high heat, heat up some oil. Once the oil is hot, add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

add vermacili to pot

Step Three: Add the vermicelli and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on medium heat, or until the garlic and vermicelli are golden brown. Add your washed rice to the pot, then the water and salt. Stir until well combined.

garlic rice in a bowl with cilantro

Step Four: Bring the pot with rice to high heat without a lid and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover with a lid and let it cook for 16-18 minutes. Remove from the stove and stir the rice. Garnish with some cilantro or parsley.

garlic rice in a bowl with cilantro

Tips And Tricks For This Rice Dish

  • Soy Sauce Addition: Soy sauce can be another great addition to the rice sinangag. You can add it towards the end on the cooled rice.
  • Oil Choices for Frying Garlic: I have used vegetable oil to stir fry the garlic and prepare the crispy garlic, but you can also choose to use olive oil or any other neutral oil of your choice. Butter can also be a great choice for this recipe, as it can lend some extra deliciousness to this rice recipe.
  • Seasoning: In addition to salt, I would also recommend adding some crushed black pepper to season the Filipino garlic fried rice.
  • Color Change with Soy Sauce: Adding the soy sauce in may cause the white rice to take on a bit of color, but that’s completely okay!
  • Cookware Options: While I have used a pot for this recipe, you can also use a rice cooker, a large wok or a large skillet to make garlic rice.
  • Garlic-Flavored Toppings: I also love topping this fried garlic rice with a little drizzle of garlic-flavored oil and some fried garlic right before serving for some extra garlicky goodness.
garlic rice in a bowl with cilantro

Storage & Reheating Instructions

  • Fridge: Your leftover fried garlic rice can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, if not more.
  • Reheating Instructions: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water, stirring frequently, until hot. Alternatively, microwave covered on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
garlic rice in a bowl with cilantro

What To Serve With Filipino Garlic Fried Rice?

FAQ’S

Can I Make This Recipe With Leftover Rice?

While I would highly recommend using freshly cooked rice for this recipe, you can also consider trying this recipe with some day old cooked rice if you want to. An important point to take note of is that the leftover rice that you are using should be fluffy and the strands should be separate and not clumped to each other.

Why Is My Rice Turning Mushy?

To ensure fluffy, separate rice strands, follow these tips:
Choose long-grain rice like Basmati or Jasmine, preferably aged.
Wash rice until water runs clear to remove excess starch.
Cook rice separately, then mix with stir-fried garlic for perfect fried rice.

meal plan for eat your beets.
garlic cilantro rice recipe

Easy Garlic Rice With Cilantro

Elevate your meal with this flavorful Garlic Rice with Cilantro! Infused with the rich aroma of garlic and topped with fresh cilantro, this rice dish is the perfect side for any main course.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Serving Size 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Basmati Rice or Long Grain
  • 4 cups Water
  • 1/3 cup Vermicelli
  • 4 Cloves Garlic
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Parsley Or Cilantro optional for serving

Instructions

  • Wash your rice at least 5 times, or until the water isn’t cloudy anymore. Mince your garlic.
  • In a medium size pot, over medium-high heat, heat up some oil. Once the oil is hot, add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
  • Add the vermicelli and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on medium heat, or until the garlic and vermicelli are golden brown.
  • Add your washed rice to the pot, then the water and salt. Stir until well combined. Bring the pot with rice to high heat without a lid and bring to a boil. 
  • Reduce heat, cover with a lid and let it cook for 16-18 minutes. Remove from the stove and stir the rice. 
  • Enjoy your Filipino fried rice while warm. You can garnish it with some cilantro or parsley, but that is optional.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

Notes

Soy Sauce Addition: Soy sauce can be another great addition to the rice sinangag. You can add it towards the end on the cooled rice.
Oil Choices for Frying Garlic: I have used vegetable oil to stir fry the garlic and prepare the crispy garlic, but you can also choose to use olive oil or any other neutral oil of your choice. Butter can also be a great choice for this recipe, as it can lend some extra deliciousness to this rice recipe.
Seasoning: In addition to salt, I would also recommend adding some crushed black pepper to season the Filipino garlic fried rice.
Color Change with Soy Sauce: Adding the soy sauce in may cause the white rice to take on a bit of color, but that’s completely okay!
Cookware Options: While I have used a pot for this recipe, you can also use a rice cooker, a large wok or a large skillet to make garlic rice.
Garlic-Flavored Toppings: I also love topping this fried garlic rice with a little drizzle of garlic-flavored oil and some fried garlic right before serving for some extra garlicky goodness.

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