Description
Classic French Onion Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring caramelized onions simmered in a rich beef broth, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère cheese. This traditional French recipe is perfect as a hearty appetizer or a warming main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Topping
- 8 slices of baguette
- 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions and sugar, stirring occasionally until the onions turn deep golden brown and caramelized, about 30 minutes. This slow cooking brings out their natural sweetness.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and cook for 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits for added flavor.
- Add Broth and Herbs: Stir in the beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and let it cook gently for 30 minutes to develop a rich and hearty taste.
- Prepare Oven for Broiling: Preheat your oven’s broiler to high to toast the bread and melt the cheese later.
- Toast Baguette Slices: Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast under the broiler until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Assemble Soup Bowls: Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place one toasted baguette slice on top of each bowl and generously sprinkle with grated Gruyère cheese.
- Broil to Finish: Place the bowls under the broiler and cook until the cheese is bubbly, melted, and golden brown, approximately 3-5 minutes. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use thinly sliced onions to ensure even caramelization.
- White wine adds acidity and depth; dry or Sauvignon Blanc works well.
- Gruyère cheese melts beautifully and has a nutty flavor that’s ideal for this soup.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
- Keep an eye on the baguette slices while broiling to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering and Broiling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups soup with topping)
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: French onion soup, caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, beef broth, French soup, comfort food
