Buttery Onion Rice Side: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
This Buttery Onion Rice Side is the ultimate comfort food, featuring long-grain rice cooked with richly caramelized onions and garlic, infused with savory chicken or vegetable broth. Perfectly tender and flavored with buttery goodness, this dish makes a delightful accompaniment to any main course, offering a warm and flavorful experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups long-grain rice, rinsed
- 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for extra richness)
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-low heat. If using olive oil, add it along with the butter to enhance richness.
- Add the Onions: Add the thinly sliced onions to the melted butter, ensuring each slice is well coated with the buttery mixture.
- Caramelize the Onions: Cook the onions over very low heat for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Continue until the onions become deeply golden brown and soft, scraping the pot’s bottom to prevent sticking and burning.
- Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the Rice: Add the rinsed rice to the pot, stirring to coat every grain in the buttery onion and garlic mixture thoroughly.
- Add the Broth, Salt, Pepper, and Bay Leaf: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Season with salt, pepper, and add the bay leaf. Stir to combine fully.
- Bring to a Boil: Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer undisturbed for 18-20 minutes until the rice absorbs all the liquid and is tender.
- Check for Doneness: After 18 minutes, check if the rice is cooked and no liquid remains. If necessary, continue simmering for a few more minutes, checking periodically.
- Remove from Heat and Let Rest: Take the pot off the stove and keep it covered. Let the rice rest for 10 minutes to allow steam to finish cooking the rice evenly.
- Remove the Bay Leaf: Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf from the pot before serving.
- Fluff the Rice: Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, separating the grains.
- Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the rice to add a burst of color and fresh flavor.
- Serve: Serve the buttery onion rice hot as a delectable and comforting side dish alongside your favorite meals.
Notes
- Use vegetable broth to make this dish vegetarian.
- Caramelizing onions takes time but adds deep flavor—do not rush this step by increasing heat.
- Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch for fluffier grains.
- Optional olive oil adds richness but can be omitted or substituted with additional butter.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated with a sprinkle of water to maintain moisture.
Keywords: buttery onion rice, caramelized onion rice, comforting rice side, easy side dish, stovetop rice recipe, savory rice
