French Onion Butter Rice
French Onion Butter Rice is a comforting and flavorful dish that transforms the rich, savory taste of French onion soup into a buttery, aromatic rice side or main. With caramelized onions, creamy butter, and herbaceous notes, this easy recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and pairs beautifully with a variety of proteins or stands alone as a satisfying meal.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Base Ingredients
- 2 large Yellow Onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1 cup Long Grain White Rice
- 2 1/2 cups warm Beef or Vegetable Broth
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme leaves (optional)
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Caramelize the Onions: Slice the yellow onions thinly and cook them slowly in butter over medium-low heat. Stir often to prevent burning, allowing the onions to soften and turn a deep golden brown, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Prepare the Rice: Add minced garlic to the pan with the caramelized onions, stirring briefly to release its aroma. Add the rice and toast it lightly in the buttery onion mixture for a few minutes to coat each grain thoroughly.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the warm beef or vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed, about 15-20 minutes depending on the rice variety.
- Finish and Fluff: Remove the rice from heat. Stir in fresh thyme if using, season with salt and pepper to taste, and fluff gently with a fork to keep the grains light and separate.
Notes
- Slow and low heat caramelizing yields the best flavor and color for the onions.
- Using warm broth prevents temperature shock and promotes evenly cooked rice.
- Unsalted butter allows better control over seasoning levels.
- Toasting the rice enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Let the rice rest covered off heat for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: French Onion Butter Rice, caramelized onion rice, savory rice side, comfort food rice, butter rice recipe, easy rice side dish