French Onion Butter Rice Recipe

The Ultimate French Onion Butter Rice Recipe Everyone Loves

Crafting a delectable french onion butter rice demands creativity and a dash of culinary passion.

Caramelized onions bring deep, rich flavors that transform ordinary grains into something extraordinary.

Sweet golden onions slowly melt into creamy butter, creating a luxurious base for your dish.

Layers of savory complexity emerge from simple ingredients carefully combined.

Each spoonful promises a comforting experience that connects you with classic French cooking techniques.

Aromatic and inviting, this recipe will transport you to a cozy kitchen in provence.

French Onion Butter Rice Highlights

French Onion Butter Rice Highlights
  • Unlock Flavor Explosion: Dive into a mouthwatering blend of French onion soup and rich beef broth that transforms ordinary rice into an extraordinary side dish bursting with savory goodness.
  • Minimal Prep, Maximum Satisfaction: Spend just a few minutes combining ingredients before letting the oven work its magic, creating a hands-off cooking experience that delivers restaurant-quality results.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or weeknight meals, this recipe appeals to all ages with its simple yet irresistible combination of tender rice and deeply caramelized flavors.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Enjoy a hassle-free cooking process that minimizes cleanup, using a single baking dish to create a delectable side that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients for French Onion Butter Rice

Main Ingredients:
  • Rice: A classic grain that serves as the base for this comforting dish.
  • Beef Broth: Provides rich, savory flavor and moisture to cook the rice.
  • French Onion Soup: Adds deep, caramelized onion taste and additional liquid for cooking.
Dairy Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a creamy texture and adds rich, golden flavor to the rice.
Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Brings a bright, fresh finish and adds a pop of color to the dish.

Steps to Make French Onion Butter Rice

Steps to Make French Onion Butter Rice

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the rice.

Step 2: Arrange the Rice

Select an 8×8 inch baking dish and spread the uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Add Liquid Base

Carefully pour beef broth over the rice, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Step 4: Pour French Onion Soup

Gently add French onion soup over the rice and broth mixture, creating a flavorful liquid base.

Step 5: Layer with Butter

Slice butter into thin pats and distribute them evenly across the surface of the rice and soup mixture.

Step 6: Cover and Initial Bake

Cover the baking dish completely with tin foil and place in the preheated oven.

Bake for 25 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the liquid.

Step 7: Uncover and Finish Baking

Remove the foil and return the dish to the oven.

Bake for an additional 25 minutes until the rice is golden and slightly crispy on top.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the rice for a pop of color and added freshness.

Serve the rice warm and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.

Pro Tips for French Onion Butter Rice

  • Slice butter into thin pats for even melting and distribution across the rice, ensuring each bite has rich, delicious flavor.
  • Completely seal the pan with tin foil during initial baking to trap moisture and help rice cook perfectly without drying out.
  • Use high-quality beef broth for deeper, more robust taste that enhances the overall depth of the French onion rice.
  • Chop fresh parsley right before serving to maximize its bright, aromatic flavor and add a vibrant green color to the dish.
  • Let the rice sit for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to settle and achieve optimal texture before serving.

Variations for French Onion Butter Rice

  • Vegetarian Variation: Replace beef broth with vegetable broth and use plant-based butter for a meat-free version that maintains rich flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Confirm using gluten-free beef broth and french onion soup to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Herb-Infused Adaptation: Add fresh thyme or rosemary during baking to create a more aromatic rice dish with enhanced herbal undertones.
  • Low-Sodium Alternative: Use low-sodium beef broth and reduced-sodium french onion soup to decrease overall salt content while preserving the recipe’s classic taste profile.

Serving Suggestions for French Onion Butter Rice

  • Hearty Main Course Companion: Pair this rich, savory rice with roasted chicken or tender pot roast for a complete meal that feels like a warm hug.
  • Elegant Side Dish Twist: Serve alongside grilled steak or seared pork chops, letting the caramelized onion flavors complement the meat’s robust profile.
  • Cozy Comfort Bowl: Top with crispy fried onions or freshly chopped chives for added texture and a pop of green that makes the dish look restaurant-worthy.
  • Vegetarian Transformation: Replace beef broth with vegetable broth and add sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables to create a delicious meat-free version that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Storage Tips for French Onion Butter Rice

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
  • Transfer cooled rice to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 1 month, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place rice in an oven-safe dish, add a splash of broth to prevent dryness, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

  • Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?

Yes, chicken broth works perfectly fine and will still give the rice a delicious flavor profile.

  • Do I need to rinse the rice before cooking?

No, for this recipe, you can use uncooked rice directly from the package without rinsing to ensure proper liquid absorption.

  • What type of rice works best for this recipe?

Long-grain white rice is ideal, as it provides the best texture and absorbs the liquid evenly during baking.

  • Is French onion soup necessary, or can I substitute it?

French onion soup is key to the recipe’s unique flavor, so try to use it as specified for the best results.

Print
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French Onion Butter Rice Recipe

French Onion Butter Rice Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savory French onion butter rice elevates comfort food with caramelized onion depth and rich, creamy butter. Silky grains promise a luxurious side dish that brings classic French flavors directly to your plate.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cup (296 milliliters) long grain rice
  • 14.5 ounces (411 grams) beef broth
  • 10.5 ounces (298 grams) french onion soup

Dairy and Fat:

  • 1 stick (113 grams / 4 ounces) butter

Garnish:

  • Fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 425°F, preparing a standard 8×8 inch baking dish for the rice preparation.
  2. Distribute the uncooked rice uniformly across the bottom of the baking dish to create an even layer.
  3. Gently cascade beef broth over the rice, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
  4. Pour French onion soup across the rice, allowing liquid to settle evenly throughout the dish.
  5. Carefully slice butter into thin pats, strategically placing them across the surface of the liquid-covered rice.
  6. Securely wrap the baking dish with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to trap moisture during initial cooking.
  7. Bake the covered dish for 25 minutes, allowing rice to absorb liquid and begin softening.
  8. Remove foil and return dish to oven, continuing to bake for an additional 25 minutes until rice develops a golden, slightly crisp top.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow final moisture absorption.
  10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finish before serving warm.

Notes

  • Always use cold butter cut into thin pats for even melting and distribution across the rice surface.
  • Consider using low-sodium broth to control salt levels, especially for those watching sodium intake.
  • Swap beef broth with vegetable broth to create a vegetarian version of this comforting side dish.
  • Let the rice rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow liquid absorption and achieve perfectly fluffy texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 425 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 1050 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
Natalie Brooks

Natalie Brooks

Co-Founder & Content Strategist

Expertise

  • Vegan and plant-based recipe creation
  • Meal planning and nutritional analysis
  • Storytelling through blog content, video, and social media

Education

eCornell

  • Program: Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate
  • Focus: Whole-food, plant-based cooking, with a foundation in nutritional science and sustainable eating habits.

Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.

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