If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food side, look no further than Stick of Butter Baked Rice. This classic dish transforms a handful of pantry staples into a bowl of golden, buttery rice that’s downright irresistible. Every scoop captures the deep savoriness of onion soup mix and beef broth, all topped with a blanket of melting butter that soaks into fluffy grains. It’s the kind of recipe that instantly makes people ask for seconds — and maybe even the recipe itself!

Stick of Butter Baked Rice Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Stick of Butter Baked Rice is in its simplicity. Each ingredient pulls its weight, building flavors and texture that are far beyond the sum of their parts. Here’s how each shines in this irresistible baked rice dish:

Long Grain White Rice (1 cup, uncooked): This type Side Dish.
Onion Soup Mix (1 packet, 1 ounce): The secret flavor weapon — its savory onion notes infuse every bite without any chopping required.
Condensed Beef Broth (1 can, 10.5 ounces): Rich and salty, it adds depth while keeping the rice moist and tender.
Water (1 can, 10.5 ounces, use beef broth can for easy measuring): Balances out the richer flavor of the broth and provides enough liquid to perfectly steam the rice.
Unsalted Butter (½ cup, 1 stick, sliced): The star of Stick of Butter Baked Rice! Sliced and layered across the top, it melts down to create a luscious, golden finish.

How to Make Stick of Butter Baked Rice

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 425°F, making sure it gets nice and hot. This higher temperature helps the butter and broth work their magic, creating fluffy, flavorful rice in under an hour.

Step 2: Mix the Rice Base

In an 8×8-inch baking dish, combine the uncooked long grain white rice, onion soup mix, condensed beef broth, and water. Give everything a thorough stir, making sure the soup mix dissolves and gets distributed evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 3: Add the Butter

Now, evenly lay the slices of unsalted butter over the top of the rice mixture. As Stick of Butter Baked Rice bakes, the butter melts and floods the rice below, creating pockets of flavor in every forkful.

Step 4: Cover and Bake

Tightly cover your baking dish with foil. Pop it in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the liquids to start steaming the rice beneath that buttery seal.

Step 5: Uncover and Finish Baking

Remove the foil after 30 minutes and return the dish to the oven for an additional 30 minutes. During this final stretch, the butter will finish melting and the top will develop a lightly golden color. You’ll know it’s ready when the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 6: Rest and Fluff

Let your Stick of Butter Baked Rice rest for several minutes before serving. This gives the rice a chance to finish absorbing flavors and hold together perfectly when you scoop it onto plates.

How to Serve Stick of Butter Baked Rice

Garnishes

For a pop of freshness, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions over the top just before serving. A dusting of black pepper or a little parmesan cheese works wonders too, playing up the richness without overpowering the dish.

Side Dishes

Stick of Butter Baked Rice is the ultimate blank canvas for nearly any main course. It pairs dreamily with roast chicken, grilled steak, or even a simple pork chop. If you want to keep things light, serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad to balance out all that buttery glory.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re entertaining, spoon portions of the rice into individual ramekins for an elegant, personal touch. You can also stuff it into roasted peppers or hollowed-out tomatoes for a fun twist — the rich, savory flavors of Stick of Butter Baked Rice make it the star no matter how you serve it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. The rice will keep beautifully for up to 4 days, making it easy to enjoy a delicious side even on the busiest weeknights.

Freezing

Stick of Butter Baked Rice is freezer-friendly, too! Cool completely, then portion into airtight containers or freezer bags. Freeze for up to two months. When ready to eat, just thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To revive leftovers, add a splash of broth or water and reheat the rice, covered, in the microwave or oven until hot and steamy. Fluff with a fork before serving, and you’ll hardly know it’s not fresh out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white?

Brown rice can be used, but you’ll need to increase the baking time and perhaps add a bit more liquid since brown rice cooks slower and absorbs more moisture. Keep an eye on it, and expect a nuttier, chewier texture.

Is Stick of Butter Baked Rice vegetarian?

While the recipe is meat-free, it does use condensed beef broth. To make it fully vegetarian, simply substitute with vegetable broth — the dish will still be rich, savory, and delicious.

What can I add for extra flavor?

Try stirring in sautéed mushrooms, chopped cooked onions, or even peas before baking. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder or swap in a different soup mix to change up the flavor profile.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely! Prepare Stick of Butter Baked Rice in a 9×13-inch dish and double each ingredient. The baking time may be slightly longer, so check to make sure all liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender before serving.

Can I use margarine or salted butter?

Margarine will work but won’t have quite the rich flavor that makes Stick of Butter Baked Rice so special. If you use salted butter, simply reduce the amount of added salt elsewhere in your meal to keep everything nicely balanced.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend Stick of Butter Baked Rice enough — it’s trusty, crowd-pleasing, and impossibly comforting. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, this side never fails to earn rave reviews. So grab your ingredients, preheat the oven, and treat yourself to a spoonful (or two!) of this buttery, savory magic.

Stick of Butter Baked Rice Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 29 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Stick of Butter Baked Rice is a flavorful and simple side dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses. This recipe combines long grain white rice with onion soup mix, beef broth, and butter, baked to perfection for a comforting and delicious addition to any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Rice Mixture:

1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
1 packet (1 ounce) onion soup mix
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed beef broth
1 can (10.5 ounces) water (use beef broth can to measure)

Butter:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into slices

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Prepare Rice: In an 8×8-inch baking dish, combine the uncooked rice, onion soup mix, beef broth, and water. Stir to combine.
Add Butter: Place slices of butter evenly over the top of the rice mixture.
Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Bake Uncovered: After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Rest and Serve: Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.