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French Onion Rice Recipe

4.5 from 130 reviews

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.

Ingredients

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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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Add caramelized onions: Once the onions are perfectly caramelized, spread them evenly over the top of the rice mixture in the baking dish.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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