Description
An extraordinary side dish that transforms ordinary jasmine rice into a rich, aromatic culinary experience with caramelized onions and butter. This onion butter jasmine rice recipe is simple to prepare but delivers restaurant-quality flavor that elevates any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups high-quality jasmine rice
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (European-style recommended)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced (about 1½ cups)
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt (kosher or sea salt)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh herbs for garnish: chopped parsley or chives
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse 2 cups of jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear—typically 3-4 rinses. Use a fine-mesh strainer for best results.
- In a medium heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until translucent and just beginning to caramelize, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook for another 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the rinsed and drained jasmine rice to the pot with the onion-butter mixture. Stir to coat each grain with the butter mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in 3 cups of broth, add salt and bay leaves, and stir once. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce to a low simmer. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
- Allow to simmer covered for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. After 15 minutes, remove from heat but keep covered for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves, then gently fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs just before serving.
Notes
- The quality of jasmine rice matters significantly—premium brands will yield fluffier, more aromatic results.
- For vegetarian or vegan versions, substitute plant-based butter and vegetable broth.
- Rinsing the rice is crucial to remove excess starch and prevent gummy results.
- Don’t rush the onion caramelization process—this creates the deep flavor foundation of the dish.
- You can prepare the caramelized onions up to 3 days in advance and store refrigerated.
- For a healthier version, reduce butter to 1.5 tablespoons and supplement with 1.5 tablespoons olive oil.
- Brown jasmine rice can be substituted for more fiber, but increase cooking time to 35-40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
Keywords: onion butter jasmine rice, jasmine rice recipe, buttered rice, caramelized onion rice, aromatic rice, flavorful side dish, easy rice recipe