Heavenly French Onion Butter Rice Recipe You’ll Love Recipe
Introduction
This Heavenly French Onion Butter Rice is a comforting and flavorful side dish that elevates simple rice with caramelized onions and fresh thyme. It’s perfect for adding a rich, savory touch to any meal and easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
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
- Step 1: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes.
- Step 2: Add the rice to the skillet and toast it for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring to coat the grains in the butter and onion mixture.
- Step 3: Pour in the vegetable broth and fresh thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat but keep it covered for an additional 5 minutes to allow the rice to finish steaming.
- Step 5: Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter until melted. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot.
Tips & Variations
- For deeper flavor, use homemade vegetable broth or add a splash of dry white wine before simmering.
- Try mixing in grated Parmesan or a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving for added freshness.
- If you prefer, substitute yellow onions with sweet onions for a milder sweetness.
Storage
Store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stove with a splash of broth or water to restore moisture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of basmati?
Yes, but cooking time will be longer and you may need to add more broth. Brown rice typically takes about 40-45 minutes to cook fully.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, simply replace the unsalted butter with a plant-based margarine or oil to keep it vegan-friendly without sacrificing richness.
PrintHeavenly French Onion Butter Rice Recipe You’ll Love Recipe
This Heavenly French Onion Butter Rice recipe combines caramelized yellow onions sautéed in butter with fragrant basmati rice simmered in vegetable broth and fresh thyme, resulting in a rich and flavorful side dish or main course that’s comforting and elegant.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Rice and Broth
- 1 cup long-grain rice (basmati preferred)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Onions and Butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced yellow onions and sauté them for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become golden brown and caramelized, developing deep sweetness and rich flavor.
- Toast the Rice: Add the long-grain basmati rice to the skillet with the caramelized onions and toast it for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously until the rice is fragrant and lightly coated with butter.
- Simmer with Broth and Thyme: Pour in the vegetable broth and sprinkle the fresh thyme leaves over the rice. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Rest and Finish: Remove the skillet from heat but keep the lid on, allowing the rice to steam for an additional 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter until melted and evenly distributed, then fluff the rice with a fork.
- Season and Serve: Adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve the French onion butter rice hot as a flavorful side dish or main course.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, use homemade vegetable broth or a high-quality store-bought broth.
- You can substitute basmati rice with jasmine or another long-grain variety if preferred.
- Caramelizing onions slowly over medium heat is key to unlocking their natural sweetness without burning.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives as a garnish for added color and aroma.
Keywords: French onion rice, butter rice, caramelized onions, basmati rice side dish, French cuisine, sautéed onions rice
