French Onion Rice Recipe
French Onion Rice is a flavorful baked rice dish that combines caramelized onions with beef consommé and French onion soup for a rich, savory meal. This comforting side or main dish uses classic French onion flavors to elevate simple rice, making it perfect for hearty dinners or special occasions.
- Author: Tim
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
For the Onion Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
For the Rice Mixture
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can beef consommé
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can French onion soup
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Caramelize the onions: Warm the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sugar. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are very soft, deeply golden, and caramelized, about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Prepare the rice mixture: While the onions caramelize, add the rice, beef consommé, French onion soup, water, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add caramelized onions: Once the onions are perfectly caramelized, spread them evenly over the top of the rice mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 425°F oven for 30 minutes. This step allows the rice to begin absorbing the flavorful liquids gradually.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil, stir the rice gently to combine, then continue baking uncovered for an additional 30 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Rest and serve: Let the rice stand for 5 minutes to set. Fluff with a fork and garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired before serving. Enjoy your warm and savory French Onion Rice!
Notes
- Caramelizing onions properly is key to developing the deep, sweet flavor in this dish. Take your time to cook them gently without rushing.
- If you prefer, you can substitute vegetable broth and mushroom soup for a vegetarian version.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle some grated Gruyère cheese over the rice in the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; the rice may firm up, so add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
- This recipe pairs excellently with roasted meats, grilled vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
Keywords: French Onion Rice, caramelized onion rice, baked rice dish, savory rice recipe, French onion soup recipe, comfort food