The Coziest French Onion Soup Rice Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Cozy winter nights call for a hearty French onion soup rice that blends comfort with unexpected flavors.

Caramelized onions melt into creamy rice, creating a dish that speaks directly to your soul.

Layers of rich broth infuse each grain with deep, complex notes.

You’ll find this recipe remarkably simple yet profoundly satisfying.

Crispy cheese edges provide a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with soft, silky rice.

Aromatic herbs dance through the dish, promising warmth in every single bite.

Curious cooks should definitely give this inventive twist on classic French onion soup a chance.

French Onion Soup Rice Explained

• Craft Gourmet Simplicity: Transform ordinary rice into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal kitchen skills, making sophisticated cooking accessible to everyone.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Combine ingredients in one baking dish without constant stirring or complicated techniques, perfect for home cooks seeking convenient meal solutions.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort: Merge classic French onion soup with rice, creating a rich, savory side dish that elevates everyday meals with deep, caramelized onion notes.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for family dinners, potlucks, or side dishes that complement various main courses like roasted meats or grilled proteins.

Ingredients for French Onion Soup Rice

• Rice: A fluffy and absorbent grain that serves as the base of this comforting dish.
• Beef Broth: A rich and savory liquid that infuses the rice with deep flavor.
• French Onion Soup: A classic soup that adds complex, caramelized onion taste to the rice.

• Butter: A creamy fat that provides richness and helps create a golden, crispy rice top.

• Fresh Parsley: A bright herb that adds a fresh, green garnish to the finished dish.

Instructions for French Onion Soup Rice

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 425F (220C) temperature. Grab an 8×8 inch baking dish and spread the uncooked rice across the bottom in an even layer.

Step 2: Create Flavor Foundation

Gently pour beef broth over the rice, making sure it covers the grains completely. Follow up by adding French onion soup, spreading it evenly across the surface.

Step 3: Drop Butter Bombs

Take cold butter and slice it into thin pats. Scatter these butter pieces across the rice and soup mixture, ensuring they’re distributed nicely.

Step 4: Shield and Bake

Cover the entire dish with aluminum foil. Slide the covered dish into the preheated oven and let it bake for 25 minutes.

Step 5: Uncover and Crisp

Remove the foil and return the dish to the oven. Continue baking for another 25 minutes until the rice turns golden and becomes tender.

Step 6: Dress and Delight

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top. Serve the rice piping hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.

Tips for Flavorful Onion Soup Rice

• Use homemade beef broth or low-sodium store-bought version for richer, more controlled flavor profile.
• Choose long-grain white rice for best texture and even cooking results.
• Ensure foil covers dish completely to trap moisture and prevent rice from becoming dry or burnt.
• Sprinkle grated gruyère or swiss cheese during last 10 minutes of uncovered baking for extra decadent touch.
• Use instant-read thermometer to confirm rice reaches 195-205F for perfect tenderness and doneness.

Variations to Try with Onion Soup Rice

• Vegetarian Onion Rice: Replace beef broth with vegetable broth, use plant-based butter, and add mushroom stock for deeper umami flavor.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Use gluten-free beef broth, ensure French onion soup is certified gluten-free, substitute regular rice with cauliflower rice for lower carb option.
• Dairy-Free Version: Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil, use dairy-free margarine, maintain same cooking technique and flavor profile.
• Low-Sodium Adaptation: Select reduced-sodium beef broth, use homemade French onion soup without added salt, include fresh herbs like thyme to enhance taste without increasing sodium content.

Best Pairings for French Onion Soup Rice

Select a robust gruyère or aged swiss cheese to sprinkle on top, enhancing the rich onion and beef flavors with creamy, nutty undertones.

Choose a medium-bodied red wine like pinot noir or beaujolais, which balances the savory soup-infused rice with subtle fruit notes and gentle tannins.

Serve with a crisp green salad topped with caramelized walnuts and a light vinaigrette to cut through the dish’s richness and add refreshing texture.

Offer toasted crusty baguette slices or garlic-rubbed sourdough to soak up the flavorful rice and provide a satisfying crunch alongside the soft, savory dish.

Storage Tips for French Onion Soup Rice

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Transfer cooled rice to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 1 month, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• Place rice in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water or broth to restore moisture. Cover and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Preheat oven to 300F. Spread rice in a baking dish, add a splash of broth, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated thoroughly.

FAQs

• What makes French onion soup rice different from regular rice dishes?

This recipe transforms ordinary rice into a rich, flavorful side dish by using beef broth and French onion soup as liquid bases, creating a deeply savory and complex taste profile.

• Can I use a different type of rice for this recipe?

While long-grain white rice works best, you can experiment with basmati or jasmine rice, but avoid quick-cooking or instant rice as they might not achieve the same texture.

• Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?

No, this recipe contains beef broth and is not vegetarian-friendly. You would need to substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth to make a vegetarian version.

French Onion Soup Rice Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

French onion soup rice promises a comforting culinary journey, blending classic French flavors with creamy rice. Caramelized onions, rich broth, and melted cheese create a delightful fusion you’ll savor with every delectable spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Broth:

• 14.5 ounces (414 grams) beef broth
• 10.5 ounces (298 grams) French onion soup

Rice and Base:

• 1 1/4 cups (295 milliliters) long grain rice, uncooked

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 stick (113 grams) butter, cold
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by setting the oven to 425F (220C) and distribute uncooked rice uniformly across an 8×8 inch dish.
2. Create a liquid foundation by gently pouring beef broth and French onion soup over the rice, ensuring complete and even coverage.
3. Strategically place cold butter pats across the surface of the liquid-rice mixture for enhanced richness and flavor.
4. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and initiate the first baking phase for 25 minutes, allowing rice to absorb liquid and begin cooking.
5. Uncover the dish and return to the oven for an additional 25 minutes, monitoring until rice develops a golden-brown exterior and reaches tender consistency.
6. Remove from oven and enhance visual appeal by sprinkling fresh parsley across the surface.
7. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal warmth and texture.

Notes

• Opt for low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels and customize the dish’s flavor intensity.
• Swap beef broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version that maintains rich taste profile.
• Use cold butter directly from refrigerator to ensure even melting and prevent rice from becoming greasy.
• Experiment with different cheese toppings like gruyère or swiss to enhance the classic French onion soup experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 328 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg