Description

French Onion Butter Rice is a rich and savory side dish featuring tender long-grain rice infused with caramelized onions, garlic, butter, and savory broth. This comforting recipe combines the deep, sweet flavor of French onion soup elements with a creamy, luscious texture. Perfect for pairing with roasted meats, stews, or vegetable dishes, it offers a quick and easy way to elevate any meal with warm, buttery goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 cup long-grain white rice
2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
2 cups beef or vegetable broth, warmed
2 cloves garlic, minced
2–3 fresh thyme sprigs
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Caramelize the Onions: Thinly slice the yellow onions. Cook them slowly in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until they become golden brown and develop a sweet, deep caramel flavor, about 20–25 minutes.
Sauté Garlic and Add Rice: Add the minced garlic to the caramelized onions and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the rice, coating each grain thoroughly with the buttery onion mixture.
Pour in Broth and Herbs: Pour the warmed beef or vegetable broth over the rice and onions. Add fresh thyme sprigs, season with salt and black pepper, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Simmer Until Tender: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15–18 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender and fluffy.
Fluff and Finish with Butter: Remove from heat, discard the thyme sprigs, and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter for extra creaminess and a glossy finish. Serve warm.

Notes

Patience with onions: Slowly caramelize onions over medium-low heat for full sweetness and depth of flavor.
Use warm broth: Adding warm broth helps the rice cook evenly and absorb more flavor.
Keep lid closed: Avoid lifting the lid frequently during simmering to retain steam for perfectly cooked rice.
Quality butter matters: Using good-quality unsalted butter enhances the richness and taste.
Fluff gently: Fluff the rice carefully to prevent breaking grains and preserve texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: French-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
Calories: 220 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 400 mg
Fat: 9 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 20 mg

Keywords: French onion rice, butter rice recipe, caramelized onion side dish, easy rice recipe, savory rice side