French Onion Butter Rice Recipe

Introduction

French Onion Butter Rice is a comforting and flavorful side dish that combines the rich taste of caramelized onions with fragrant butter and fresh thyme. It’s an easy way to elevate simple rice into something special for any meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain rice (basmati preferred)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and caramelize, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add the rice to the skillet and toast it for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Pour in the vegetable broth and add the fresh thyme leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat but keep it covered. Let it sit for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter until melted. Fluff the rice with a fork, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• For a deeper onion flavor, you can cook the onions a bit longer until they reach a rich, dark caramel color.
• Try substituting fresh thyme with rosemary or sage for a different herbaceous note.
• Use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth for a non-vegetarian option with richer flavor.
• Add a handful of grated Parmesan cheese after stirring in the butter for extra creaminess.

Storage

Store leftover French Onion Butter Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, sprinkle a little water over the rice and warm it in a microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. Stir occasionally to keep the rice fluffy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of rice for this recipe?

Yes, you can use other long-grain rice varieties or even jasmine rice. Just adjust the cooking time and liquid quantity according to the rice type’s package instructions.

How do I know when the onions are properly caramelized?

The onions should be soft, deeply golden brown, and sweet-smelling with no burnt spots. This process typically takes 15-20 minutes over medium heat while stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

French Onion Butter Rice Recipe

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French Onion Butter Rice is a flavorful and comforting side dish made by caramelizing sweet yellow onions in butter, toasting fragrant long-grain rice, and simmering it all together in savory vegetable broth with fresh thyme. The resulting dish is rich, aromatic, and perfect for pairing with a variety of entrees.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: French-inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Rice and Butter

• 1 cup long-grain rice (basmati preferred)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Vegetables and Broth

• 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

Seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add sliced yellow onions and sauté for 15-20 minutes until they turn golden brown and caramelized, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
2. Toast the Rice: Add the long-grain rice to the skillet with the caramelized onions and toast it for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the rice becomes fragrant, which enhances the nutty flavor.
3. Add Broth and Thyme: Pour in 2 cups of vegetable broth and sprinkle in the fresh thyme leaves. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Simmer the Rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid and is tender.
5. Rest and Finish: Remove the skillet from heat but keep it covered for an additional 5 minutes to steam the rice fully. Then, stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter until melted to add richness.
6. Season and Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork, taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve the French Onion Butter Rice hot as a savory side dish.

Notes

• For best results, use basmati rice for its distinct fragrance and texture, but other long-grain rice can be substituted.
• If you prefer a deeper onion flavor, caramelize the onions longer but be careful to avoid burning them.
• This recipe is vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of broth or water to retain moisture.

Keywords: French Onion Butter Rice, caramelized onion rice, buttery rice side dish, vegetarian rice recipe, stovetop rice