Oh, let me tell you about my absolute favorite lazy-day comfort food – this Stick‑of‑Butter French Onion Rice! It’s one of those magical dishes that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen, but really comes together in under an hour. The secret? That whole stick of butter melting into sweet, golden caramelized onions. Trust me, that rich, savory flavor is worth every single calorie. I first made this on a chilly Sunday when I wanted something cozy but didn’t feel like cooking anything fancy. Now it’s my go-to side dish that always gets rave reviews – even from my picky nephew who “hates onions” (he doesn’t even notice them when they’re this delicious!).
Ingredients for Stick‑of‑Butter French Onion Rice
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter – trust me, you want the real stuff here!
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (I always use Jasmine)
- 2 cups beef broth (the better quality, the better flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Don’t have beef broth? No worries! Chicken or vegetable broth work great too – just know the flavor will be slightly different. I’ve even used mushroom broth when that’s all I had, and it was delicious. Fresh thyme is wonderful if you have it (use twice as much as dried), but dried works perfectly fine in a pinch.
That long-grain rice is key though – I’ve tried short-grain and it turns out too sticky. Basmati or Jasmine rice gives you those perfect separate, fluffy grains that soak up all that buttery onion goodness. And please, whatever you do, don’t skimp on the butter! This is where the magic happens.
How to Make Stick‑of‑Butter French Onion Rice
Okay, let’s get cooking! This recipe is simple, but there are a few key steps that make all the difference. First, grab your favorite large skillet (I use my trusty cast iron) and let’s make some magic happen.
- Melt that butter slowly over medium heat – we’re talking gentle bubbles, not a raging inferno. You’ll know it’s ready when it stops foaming and smells nutty, about 2 minutes.
- Add those thinly sliced onions and stir to coat them in butter. Now here’s where patience comes in – let them cook low and slow, stirring occasionally, until they turn a deep golden brown. This takes about 15 minutes, but don’t rush it!
- Toast the rice right in that buttery onion goodness for about 2 minutes. You’ll notice the grains turning slightly translucent at the edges – that’s when you know they’re ready to soak up all that flavor.
- Pour in the broth (careful, it’ll sizzle!), add your seasonings, give it one good stir, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes. No peeking! That steam is doing important work.
- Fluff and serve with a fork once all the liquid is absorbed. Taste for salt – sometimes I add another pinch at this point.
Tips for Perfect Caramelized Onions
The secret to amazing onions? Keep your heat at medium – too high and they’ll burn before caramelizing. Stir them every few minutes, scraping up those delicious brown bits from the pan bottom. If they start sticking too much, deglaze with a splash of white wine or water. And don’t crowd the pan – one large onion is perfect for this recipe.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Watch your heat – too high and the butter burns, too low and the onions steam instead of caramelize. Always measure your broth precisely (I use liquid measuring cups) because too much makes mushy rice. And resist the urge to stir while simmering – that steam needs to stay trapped to cook the rice evenly!
Why You’ll Love This Stick‑of‑Butter French Onion Rice
This recipe checks all the boxes for weeknight cooking magic:
- One-pot wonder – Minimal dishes means more time enjoying your meal (and less time scrubbing pans!)
- Rich, restaurant-quality flavor – That golden caramelized onion and butter combo tastes way fancier than it should
- Effortless elegance – Looks and tastes impressive with barely any hands-on time
- Pantry-friendly ingredients – No special trips to the store needed
- Crave-worthy comfort – Warm, buttery goodness that hits the spot every time
I’m telling you, this rice disappears faster than I can make it!
Serving Suggestions for Stick‑of‑Butter French Onion Rice
Oh, this rice deserves a starring role on your dinner table! I love serving it alongside juicy roasted chicken – the buttery rice soaks up all those delicious pan juices perfectly. It’s also amazing with a simple grilled steak (just picture that first bite of tender beef with the rich onion rice… wow!). For something lighter, try it with pan-seared salmon or roasted pork chops. Honestly, I’ve even eaten it straight from the pan with just a fried egg on top when I’m feeling extra indulgent!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Good news – this rice keeps like a dream! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, I always add a splash of broth (about a tablespoon per serving) to bring back that creamy texture. Microwave it covered in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, or warm it gently in a skillet over low heat. Pro tip: The flavors actually get better the next day as all those buttery onion notes mingle together!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what’s in this delicious rice (per serving): About 320 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated), 35g carbs, 1g fiber, and 4g protein. Remember – these are estimates that might change based on your exact ingredients. That butter’s worth it, I promise!
FAQs About Stick‑of‑Butter French Onion Rice
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
You can, but you’ll need to adjust! Brown rice takes nearly twice as long to cook. Add an extra 1/2 cup broth and simmer for 40-45 minutes. The texture will be chewier – still tasty, but not quite the same fluffy magic.
Help! My rice turned out soggy. What went wrong?
Oh no! Usually this means too much liquid or not enough simmering time. Next time, measure broth precisely and make sure your lid fits snugly. For rescue mode now, spread the rice on a baking sheet and pop it in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes to evaporate excess moisture.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just swap the beef broth for vegetable broth (mushroom broth adds amazing depth!). The onions and butter do most of the flavor work anyway.
Why do my onions keep burning?
Patience, my friend! Medium heat is key – no shortcuts with caramelizing. If they’re cooking too fast, add a teaspoon of water to slow things down. And stir more frequently!
Can I freeze leftovers?
You bet! Let it cool completely, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat with extra broth to revive that creamy texture.
Let Me Know How Your Stick‑of‑Butter French Onion Rice Turns Out!
I’d love to hear how this recipe works in your kitchen! Did you add any fun twists? Maybe some crispy shallots on top or a sprinkle of Parmesan? Drop a comment below or tag me on social media – nothing makes me happier than seeing your buttery rice masterpieces!
Print
Irresistible Stick-of-Butter French Onion Rice in 30 Minutes
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and flavorful rice dish with caramelized onions and butter.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add sliced onions and cook until caramelized, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in rice, salt, pepper, and thyme, coating the rice with butter.
- Pour in beef broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
- Fluff with a fork before serving.
Notes
- Use a non-stick skillet for easier cleanup.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine while cooking onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: butter rice, french onion rice, easy side dish
