Name: French Onion Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 bay leaf; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 cup dry white wine; 6 cups beef broth; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 baguette, sliced into rounds; 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese

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French Onion Soup is pure comfort in a bowl, and it’s one of those magical dishes that turns humble ingredients into something unforgettable. Deeply caramelized onions, a splash of wine, and rich broth create the base, while golden, cheesy baguette toasts floating on top add irresistible crunch and gooeyness. Whether you’re after a cozy weeknight dinner or a show-stopping starter for a special meal, this classic French Onion Soup delivers rich flavor, heartwarming aroma, and pure satisfaction with every spoonful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making French Onion Soup is all about celebrating simple, quality ingredients. Each one brings its own character, whether it’s the sweetness of onions or the nutty melt of Gruyère, and together they create a symphony of flavor you’ll crave again and again.

Yellow onions: Four large ones, thinly sliced; they provide sweetness and the soul of the soup.
Unsalted butter: Three tablespoons; for rich flavor and to help caramelize the onions beautifully.
Olive oil: One tablespoon; keeps the butter from burning and adds depth.
Garlic: Two cloves, minced; a subtle kick of flavor that mingles perfectly with the onions.
Sugar: One teaspoon; just a touch to help the onions caramelize and bring out their natural sweetness.
Salt: One teaspoon; to enhance every other flavor in the pot.
Black pepper: Half a teaspoon; a gentle heat that balances the sweetness.
Dried thyme: Half a teaspoon; classic French herbal aroma, tying everything together.
Bay leaf: One; adds subtle, savory depth as the soup simmers.
Dry white wine: Half a cup; this deglazes the pot and lifts all the caramelized bits for extra flavor.
Beef broth: Six cups; the hearty foundation for the French Onion Soup, rich and savory.
Worcestershire sauce: One tablespoon; a secret splash that deepens the umami.
Baguette: Sliced into rounds; for those iconic, crunchy soup-toppers.
Gruyère cheese: Two cups, shredded; the classic melty, nutty finish.

How to Make French Onion Soup

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

Start by melting the butter with the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add all those glorious sliced onions, and cook them slowly—stirring often—until they become deeply golden and caramelized. This part takes patience, about 35 to 40 minutes, but it’s what gives French Onion Soup its signature sweetness and rich, golden color. Don’t rush; you’re building flavor with every stir!

Step 2: Add Aromatics and Seasonings

Once your onions are a beautiful shade of caramel, stir in the minced garlic, sugar, salt, pepper, thyme, and the bay leaf. Let them cook for just a minute, allowing the garlic and herbs to bloom and the seasonings to marry with the onions. This quick step adds layers of subtle flavor that make the soup truly special.

Step 3: Deglaze with Wine

Pour in the dry white wine and use your spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Those bits are pure flavor gold! Let the wine simmer until it’s reduced by half, which takes just a few minutes. It gives the soup a lovely depth and a gentle acidity that balances out the sweetness.

Step 4: Simmer with Broth

Now, add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the whole mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes. This is where all the flavors come together and the soup develops its signature richness. Don’t forget to remove the bay leaf when you’re done simmering!

Step 5: Toast the Baguette

While the soup simmers, slice the baguette into rounds and toast them until they’re crisp and golden. These will be the floating, crunchy base for all that gooey cheese, so don’t skip this part!

Step 6: Assemble and Broil

Ladle the piping hot soup into oven-safe bowls, top each with one or two toasted baguette slices, and pile on the shredded Gruyère cheese. Place the bowls under your broiler until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just turning golden brown. This melty, savory crust is what makes French Onion Soup so utterly irresistible.

How to Serve French Onion Soup

Garnishes

The classic finish for French Onion Soup is a bubbling cap of Gruyère, but you can sprinkle a little fresh thyme or parsley on top right before serving for a pop of color and freshness. Some like a crack of black pepper over the cheese for extra warmth, or even a whisper of smoked paprika for a subtle twist.

Side Dishes

French Onion Soup is rich and satisfying on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette or a plate of roasted vegetables. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside steak frites or with a slice of quiche—a classic French bistro pairing!

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try serving mini portions of French Onion Soup in espresso cups as a party appetizer. Or, let guests customize their bowls: set out different cheeses, fresh herbs, and even flavored croutons for a DIY soup bar. You could even bake the soup in a hollowed-out bread bowl for a dramatic and delicious presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover French Onion Soup, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days. Store the toasted baguette and cheese separately so they don’t get soggy.

Freezing

French Onion Soup freezes surprisingly well! Pour cooled soup (without the bread and cheese) into freezer-safe containers, leaving some room for expansion. It’ll keep for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.

Reheating

Reheat French Onion Soup gently on the stovetop until it’s steaming hot. For the best experience, toast fresh baguette slices and top them with cheese under the broiler before adding them to your reheated soup. This way, every bowl tastes just as cozy and decadent as the first time.

FAQs

Can I use a different cheese if I don’t have Gruyère?

Absolutely! While Gruyère is traditional for French Onion Soup thanks to its nutty flavor and great melt, you can use Swiss or Emmental cheese as a substitute. Even a good-quality provolone or mozzarella will work in a pinch—just make sure it melts well.

What’s the best onion to use for French Onion Soup?

Yellow onions are the classic choice for their balance of sweetness and savoriness, but you can mix in a few red onions or even sweet onions for extra complexity. Avoid using only red onions, as they can sometimes make the soup too sharp.

Can I make French Onion Soup vegetarian?

Yes! Simply swap the beef broth for a high-quality vegetable broth. You’ll still get lots of flavor from the caramelized onions, herbs, and cheese. For added depth, you can use a splash of soy sauce or mushroom broth.

Is it possible to caramelize the onions in advance?

Definitely. You can caramelize the onions a day or two ahead and keep them in the fridge. This is a great time-saver and can actually deepen the flavor as the onions mellow overnight. Just continue with the recipe when you’re ready.

Why is my French Onion Soup too sweet or too salty?

The sweetness comes from the onions and a touch of sugar, so if yours is too sweet, try reducing the sugar next time or using a mix of onion types. If it’s too salty, use low-sodium broth and hold back on adding extra salt until the very end, tasting as you go.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so special about sharing a steaming, cheese-crusted bowl of French Onion Soup with people you care about. Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in or to impress your friends, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Give it a try and let yourself fall in love with every rich, savory spoonful!

French Onion Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A classic French Onion Soup recipe featuring deeply caramelized yellow onions simmered in a savory beef broth, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère cheese for a rich, comforting dish perfect as a starter or main.

Ingredients

Scale

Onions and Seasonings

4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Fats and Liquids

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Bread and Cheese

1 baguette, sliced into rounds
2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese

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Instructions

Caramelize the Onions: Melt the butter with olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring often, until they are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes.
Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, sugar, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 more minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Simmer until the wine reduces by half to concentrate the flavor.
Simmer the Soup: Add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes to develop the soup’s flavors. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
Toast the Baguette: While the soup simmers, toast the baguette slices in the oven until crisp and golden.
Assemble and Broil: Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place one or two toasted baguette slices on top of each bowl, then cover generously with shredded Gruyère cheese. Place the bowls under a broiler until the cheese melts, becomes bubbly, and turns golden brown.
Serve: Carefully remove from the broiler and serve the soup hot for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Notes

For richer flavor, use a mix of beef and chicken broth instead of only beef broth.
Swiss or Emmental cheese can be used as a substitute for Gruyère cheese.
Caramelize onions in advance and refrigerate them for up to 2 days to save preparation time on serving day.
Vegetarian version can be made by substituting beef broth with vegetable broth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop and Broiling
Cuisine: French