Description
French Onion Soup is a timeless classic with rich, savory flavors from caramelized onions, a flavorful broth, and melted cheese over crispy baguette slices. It’s perfect for cozy dinners or as a starter for any meal.
Ingredients
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh thyme
8 slices French baguette
1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, salt, and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and golden brown, about 40 minutes.
- Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the wine to slightly reduce.
- Add the beef broth, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring the soup to a simmer, and let it cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- While the soup simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 5-7 minutes, until golden and crispy.
- Once the soup is ready, remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls and top each with a slice of toasted baguette. Generously sprinkle the Gruyère and Parmesan cheese over the bread.
- Place the bowls under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve hot and enjoy the rich, savory flavors!
Notes
For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
For a twist on the cheese, try Swiss, Emmental, or mozzarella instead of Gruyère.
This soup tastes even better the next day once the flavors have melded.
It can be frozen without the bread and cheese. Add those fresh when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 50mg