We may earn a commission when you click on the affiliate links in this post.
French Onion Rice is a classic side dish that seems almost too easy to make for how good it tastes. With only 4 simple ingredients, this recipe delivers a delicious side that complements chicken, beef, and pork. If you love simple, comforting, no-fail recipes, this one is for you!
What is French Onion Rice?
French Onion Rice is a baked rice side dish made with condensed French onion soup. As the rice bakes in the oven, it absorbs the flavors of the soup creating a tender, savory rice dish.
I’ve made this French Onion Rice recipe more times than I can count. It’s not a fancy, complicated recipe, but it is a comfort food everyone loves. Our family has made this recipe for years, and it’s one we love bringing to potlucks and holiday dinners.The beauty of this recipe is the simplicity of it, and that’s why I’m excited to share it with you. I like to make it with our Crock Pot Pork Chops or our Oven Roast Beef.
❤️ Echo
4 Simple Ingredients
- White Rice: Long-grain white works best for this recipe because it cooks evenly and stays fluffy. Avoid using quick-cooking rice. It will turn mushy in the oven.
- Condensed French Onion Soup: This provides the savory onion flavor and all the seasoning needed for this rice. I recommend using the classic Campbell’s brand soup for best results.
- Water: With the French onion soup, this provides the moisture needed for the rice to cook properly.
- Butter: This adds richness and flavor to the rice as it bakes.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Brown rice option: You can use brown rice instead of white rice, but you’ll need to boil it for 5 minutes before adding it to the baking dish. See recipe notes for full instructions.
- Lower sodium option: Use a reduced-sodium French onion condensed soup and unsalted butter. You can also make your own by using 4 cups of low-sodium beef broth instead of the French onion soup AND water in the recipe. Season it with caramelized onions, mushrooms, garlic, and herbs.
- Add-ins: Make it a heartier rice dish or even a main dish by adding sliced mushrooms, or cooked chicken or beef (shredded or cubed). Layer additional ingredients evenly over the rice before baking.
How to Make French Onion Rice
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread the 2 cups of rice evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Pour 2 cans (2 ½ cups) of condensed French onion soup over the rice.
- Add 1 ½ cups of water to the rice, making sure all of the rice is covered by liquid.
- Slice a cube of butter (½ cup) into 8 slices. Place the butter slices evenly over the rice mixture.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Seal the edges around the pan to create a tight seal over the rice.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove the foil and fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
Helpful Tips
Seal the foil tightly: A tight seal traps the steam which is essential for cooking the rice evenly. Gaps can cause dry or undercooked spots.
Use long-grain rice for best results: Short-grain rice releases more starch and can become gummy in this recipe.
Test the rice for doneness: After the full baking time, test the rice from the middle of the baking pan to make sure it is done. Oven temperatures can vary. If it’s not quite done, re-cover with foil and bake for 5-10 more minutes. Please note that the rice coated in butter and the rice around the edges of the dish will be a little more crisp. This is normal.
Let it rest before serving: After baking, remove the foil, fluff the rice, and then let the rice sit for 5 minutes. This allows excess moisture to absorb and improves the texture of the rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because this is such an easy recipe, I don’t recommend making it ahead of time. It literally takes 5 minutes or less to assemble. If made ahead, the rice will start to absorb the liquid and this will affect the baking time.
Yes, brown rice works great in this recipe. However, it will need to be cooked for 5 minutes on the stove before adding it to the baking dish. This can be done ahead. See the notes in the recipe card for full instructions.
Crunchy rice usually means steam escaped during baking. Make sure the foil is sealed tightly and measure liquids carefully. Please note that it is normal for the rice around the edges of the pan, and the rice that gets coated with butter to be a little crispy. This rice softens as it is fluffed and the rice rests before serving.
This rice dish is best enjoyed fresh. Freezing it will change the texture of the rice.
More Delicious Rice Side Dishes to Try
If you love easy rice side dishes like this one, be sure to check out some of our other favorite rice recipes here on Favorite Family Recipes. In addition to oven-baked rice, we have stovetop and Instant Pot rice recipes that are just as easy and comforting as this one.
If you make this French Onion Rice, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! ⭐️
Leave a comment below and be sure to give this recipe a rating. It helps other readers and means so much to our family. We read every comment.
French Onion Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice, (see notes for brown rice option)
- 2 10 ounce French onion soup, condensed (Campbell's)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spread 2 cups of uncooked white rice evenly in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Pour 2 cans (2 ½ cups) of condensed French onion soup over the rice.
- Pour 1 ½ cups of water over the rice and soup.
- Cut a stick of butter (½ cup) into 8 slices. Place the butter slices evenly over the rice mixture.
- Cover the dish with foil, sealing the edges tightly around the pan. Securing the edges will ensure the steam stays trapped in the pan to cook the rice evenly.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove foil layer and fluff with a fork before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe?
We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.
