Description
Savory French Onion Soup Rice blends classic French culinary traditions with comforting rice. Caramelized onions and rich broth elevate this hearty dish for home cooks who crave deep, complex flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pieces yellow onions (medium, thinly sliced)
- 1 cup (240 ml) long-grain white rice
- 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) condensed French onion soup
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté onion slices, stirring consistently until they transform into a rich, golden-brown color with a deep caramel complexity, approximately 20 minutes.
- Build Flavor Base: Incorporate beef broth into the caramelized onions, blending thyme, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture to create an intensely aromatic liquid foundation that will infuse the rice with robust taste.
- Rice Integration: Fold uncooked rice into the broth-onion mixture, ensuring each grain is thoroughly coated with the savory essence. Reduce heat, cover the pan, and allow rice to absorb the liquid for 18-20 minutes, periodically checking moisture levels.
- Final Preparation: Once rice reaches perfect tenderness, gently fluff with a fork to separate grains. Sprinkle generously with Gruyere cheese, letting the residual heat create a subtle melt that enhances the dish’s richness.
- Serve: Transfer the fragrant rice to serving plates, presenting a contemporary interpretation of classic French onion soup that marries traditional flavors with a comforting rice preparation.
Notes
- Caramelize Carefully: Patience is key when developing deep, rich onion flavors; maintain medium heat and stir frequently to prevent burning while achieving a golden-brown color.
- Liquid Balance: Watch rice moisture levels closely, keeping a small amount of extra broth nearby to prevent sticking or undercooking; add liquid sparingly if needed during simmering.
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose a high-quality, aged Gruyere for authentic flavor; freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and provides a more intense taste profile.
- Adapt for Dietary Needs: Swap beef broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version; use lactose-free cheese or nutritional yeast for dairy-free alternatives without compromising the dish’s rich, savory essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg