French onion rice takes all the rich, savory flavors of French onion soup and transforms it into an irresistibly delicious side dish. With caramelized onions and a gooey melted cheese topping, this foolproof recipe is as easy as it is flavorful. Your dinner is about to get an upgrade.
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If you know me, you'll know that I love caramelized onions. There’s something about them that makes any dish instantly better. Whether it's my French onion chicken bake, fried cabbage with onions, or baked lamb shoulder chops ith onions, caramelized onions will always have a place on my table!
And this French onion soup rice is the next iteration of my love letter to slow roasted onions.
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📖Why My Recipe Works
- Caramelization- The onions are slowly cooked in butter until perfectly caramelized, unlocking a rich, sweet, and savory depth of flavor.
- No Soup Mix- It's reminiscent of French onion soup, not a salt bomb. I skip the onion soup mix for a more authentic, homemade taste.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Onions- Sweet Vidalia or Maui onions are best. If you substitute with white or yellow onions add in a pinch of sugar.
- Butter- I always recommend using unsalted butter, as you'll have more control over the saltiness since we're also adding soy sauce and chicken stock.
- Rice- Use medium-grain rice like Jasmine. You can also use long-grain white rice or brown rice should also work, but you will need to adjust the cooking time. Don't use instant rice for this recipe.
- Cheese- Either Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese will work.
- Broth- You can swap out chicken and use beef broth or vegetable stock for a vegetarian option.
- Soy Sauce- Substitute with tamari for a gluten-free option.
⏲️How to Make Onion Rice
- Cutting the onions as thin as possible will help them cook faster,
- Cook the onions low and slow, stirring occasionally, to unlock their natural sweetness. Don't rush this step, the perfect caramelization takes time.
- Let the rice simmer in chicken stock until soft and tender, so that it absorbs all the flavorful liquid. Avoid stirring too much during this step, as it can cause the rice to become mushy.
- Add cheese on top and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Keep an eye on it, as it can burn quickly.
🥗What to Serve with French Onion Rice
This buttery onion rice is a delicious side dish that can elevate any meal. I like serving it with my sous vide prime rib, grilled flank steak, or sheet pan pork chops. For lighter options, you can pair it with roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or roasted balsamic mushrooms.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tip
If the rice isn’t done after the cooking time, you can add a splash of stock or water, cover it, and let it simmer for a few extra minutes until the rice is tender and fluffy.
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📖 Recipe Card
French Onion Rice (No Soup Mix!)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 large sweet onion cut into very thin slices
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup medium grain rice rinsed
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese or swiss cheese
Instructions
- In a large oven safe skillet melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and salt, sauté until the onions begin to soften. Turn the heat to low and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 large sweet onion, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the rice, thyme, soy sauce, and pepper. Stir to combine.3 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 cup medium grain rice
- Add the chicken stock and cover. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes.2 cups chicken stock
- With 5 to 10 minutes left in the cooking time, preheat the boiler.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle the cheese over the rice. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve immediately.1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese
Notes
- Use a wide pan, not a saucepan, this will ensure the cheese covers everything and melts well.
- The cooking time and quantity of stock should be adjusted to match what is on the package of the rice. Different varieties and grains will vary in cooking instructions.
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