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Say goodbye to boring rice and hello to stick of butter rice, the ultimate side dish that’s as easy to make as it is tasty! It’s the most delicious side dish, richly flavored and outrageously comforting. This recipe is a delightful throwback that combines just four simple ingredients to create a dish that’s both creamy and comforting. The magic happens when the butter melts into the rice, infusing it with rich flavor that pairs beautifully with any main course. It’s a surefire hit at family dinners or potlucks, and I promise your loved ones will be begging for the recipe after just one bite.

Dive into the most delicious recipe for stick of butter rice and enjoy mouthful after mouthful of this super tasty potluck and holiday side dish.
Also try spam fried rice, cheesy rice, red-skin mashed potatoes and this skillet cornbread. Or, for something unusual, kimchi fried rice!
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to whip up: Five minutes is all it takes to prepare this stick of butter rice recipe and pop it into the oven.
Basic pantry staples: Minimal ingredients using mostly pantry staples.
Kids love it: The entire family will ask for this on repeat. It’s that good!
Potluck perfect: The ideal side dish for a potluck, which is why it is sometimes called funeral rice or church rice. You can easily double or triple the recipe if needed.
Stick of Butter Rice Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Long-grain white rice: This type of uncooked rice is known for its fluffy texture and separate grains when cooked. It absorbs the flavors from the broth and soup beautifully, creating a rich, savory base for the dish. I don’t recommend instant rice for this recipe.
Beef broth: Adds depth and a meaty, umami flavor to the rice, enhancing its savory profile.
Condensed French onion soup: Gives the dish a concentrated onion flavor with a slightly sweet and tangy edge.
Garlic powder: This seasoning adds a subtle hint of garlic that complements the onion and beef flavors, elevating the overall savory taste.
Unsalted butter: The butter infuses the dish with creamy richness as it melts, coating each grain of rice for a luxurious texture and buttery taste.
Fresh chopped parsley: Adds a pop of color and a fresh taste.
How to Make Stick of Butter Rice
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Combine ingredients: In the prepared dish, add the long-grain white rice, beef broth, condensed French onion soup, and garlic powder. Stir everything together to mix up those flavors.
Add butter: Top the rice mixture with slices of unsalted butter. Cover the dish tightly with foil to trap moisture for even cooking.
Bake: Bake in the oven for 30 minutes with the foil on. Then, discard the foil and bake for 30 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.
Fluff and serve: Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Load it with veggies: Add mushrooms, corn, peas, or carrots to make it similar to fried rice.
Protein add-ins: Fold in cooked chicken or cooked ground beef.
Rice swaps: Long-grain white rice is recommended, but you could use brown rice instead.
French onion soup: It’s best to use a can of French onion soup, but in a pinch, you could use a package of dry French onion soup mix. You can use other ingredients in its place, like beef consommé soup, Worcestershire sauce, vegetable broth, onion powder, low-sodium beef broth, and so on.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Start with something bright and cheery like my Christmas focaccia.
Main: This stick of butter baked rice pairs nicely with turkey or the perfect roast chicken. Serve it with other veggies like these rainbow carrots.
Dessert: You’ve got to try my gumdrop nougat (which makes a fun gift idea, too) or this soft and moist gingerbread loaf.
How to Store Stick of Butter Rice
Store: Leftover rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer: This is a great recipe to freeze as well. Freeze any leftovers in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Pop your frozen rice dish into the fridge and let it defrost overnight.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave for a few minutes or in a baking dish in the oven until warmed through.
Top Tips
Check and tweak seasoning: We don’t add salt to this recipe as there is plenty in the beef broth and French onion soup; however, you can season with salt to your liking.
Use long-grain rice: Stick with long-grain white rice for the best texture. It absorbs the flavors without getting mushy, delivering a perfect balance of fluffiness and bite.
Slice the butter evenly: Distribute butter slices evenly across the rice mixture. This ensures the butter melts uniformly, infusing every grain with creamy richness.
Add a pop of freshness: For extra flavor and color, garnish the finished rice with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of green onions. It brightens the dish and balances out the rich buttery taste.
Check for doneness: After baking, fluff the rice with a fork and ensure it’s fully cooked. If it’s too firm, cover the dish with foil again and bake for an extra 5 to 10 minutes.
Serve it warm: Stick of butter rice is best served right out of the oven while the flavors are fresh and the butter is still luscious. If reheating, add a touch of broth to maintain the creamy texture.
Brown Butter Rice FAQs
Absolutely! Chicken broth can be used as a lighter alternative to beef broth, and mushroom soup can replace French onion soup for a different twist. Just note that these substitutions may alter the flavor profile.
Spraying the baking dish with nonstick cooking spray (I used this one!) before adding the ingredients helps prevent sticking. Stirring the ingredients well and covering the dish tightly with foil during the first baking stage also helps retain moisture and even cooking.
Yes, you’ll need to adjust the liquid, melt the butter first, and use the regular rice setting. Skip the foil in this instance.
Yes! Just ensure that the beef broth and French onion soup you’re using are gluten-free. Some brands may contain gluten, so check the labels carefully.
Stick of Butter Rice Recipe
Stick of Butter Rice
Equipment
- Ceramic Baking Dish 8-Inch Square or 9 x 13-Inch
Ingredients
- 1 Cup long-grain white rice
- 10 Ounces beef broth
- 10 Ounces condensed French onion soup
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Cup unsalted butter , sliced
- parsley, fresh chopped, for optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a square 8-inch baking dish or a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Add rice, broth, French onion soup, and garlic powder to the prepared baking dish and stir to combine.
- Top with sliced butter and cover tightly with foil.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with parsley, if desired.
Notes
Use long-grain rice: Stick with long-grain white rice for the best texture. It absorbs the flavors without getting mushy, delivering a perfect balance of fluffiness and bite.
Slice the butter evenly: Distribute butter slices evenly across the rice mixture. This ensures the butter melts uniformly, infusing every grain with creamy richness.
Add a pop of freshness: For extra flavor and color, garnish the finished rice with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of green onions. It brightens the dish and balances out the rich buttery taste.
Check for doneness: After baking, fluff the rice with a fork and ensure it’s fully cooked. If it’s too firm, cover the dish with foil again and bake for an extra 5 to 10 minutes.
Serve it warm: Stick of butter rice is best served right out of the oven while the flavors are fresh and the butter is still luscious. If reheating, add a touch of broth to maintain the creamy texture.
Nutrition
Once you try this tasty golden butter rice, regular rice will never be the same! This incredibly flavorful and comforting dish is the perfect side for all your favorite festive proteins – think roast chicken, pork, succulent turkey or fall apart salmon. This dish is perfect with literally all of this proteins.
Other Side Dish Recipes to Try
- Brussels sprouts with maple syrup, bacon, and nuts has the most incredible crunchy texture.
- Dish up these sheet pan carrots for the prettiest side dish that goes with everything.
- Crispy stacked potatoes are an easy side dish and a great appetizer, too.
- Make one pot gouda cream cheese corn with its incredible cozy flavors.
- Sweet potatoes with candied nuts give all the festive feels.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
So buttery and comforting. Definitely going into the rotation!
Stick of butter rice is my new favorite side—rich, creamy, and super easy to make!
Surprisingly yummy! Was great as leftovers, too. Went well with the steak we had.