Description
This easy French Onion Soup recipe delivers a rich, deeply caramelized onion flavor topped with melted Gruyere cheese and toasted baguette slices. Slow-cooked onions and hearty beef broth create a comforting, classic French dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 6 cups thinly sliced onions
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup white wine
- 4 cups high-quality beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 4 slices baguette, toasted
- 1 ½ cups grated Gruyere or similar cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet with high sides, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, fresh thyme leaves stripped from the sprigs, and bay leaf. Cook the onions on low heat, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent sticking. Sprinkle in a teaspoon of salt. Continue cooking for about 45 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, developing a rich, sweet flavor.
- Deglaze and Simmer: When the onions are deeply caramelized, pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil and allow the alcohol to evaporate. Add the beef broth, return the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed while you preheat the broiler.
- Prepare for Broiling: Ladle the hot soup into four oven-safe bowls. Place a toasted slice of baguette on top of each bowl. Generously sprinkle the grated Gruyere cheese evenly over the bread slices to fully cover them.
- Broil the Soup: Set the bowls under a preheated broiler. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown. Remove from the broiler carefully to avoid spills and burns.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with fresh thyme leaves for a fragrant finish. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the classic, comforting flavors of French Onion Soup.
Notes
- Onion Choice: Yellow onions are traditional, but a mix of yellow, white, and red onions can add more complex flavor layers.
- Wine Substitute: For a non-alcoholic option, replace the white wine with equal parts beef broth plus a splash of vinegar to maintain acidity.
- Cheese Options: Gruyere is classic, but Emmental, Swiss, or a blend of cheeses can be used for different flavor profiles.
- Broiler Tip: Always watch the soup closely when under the broiler to prevent the cheese from burning or over-browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 375ml)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
