Name: French Onion Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon sugar; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 8 cups beef broth; 1/2 cup dry white wine or sherry; 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1 baguette, sliced; 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese

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If there’s a bowl of comfort that warms both the heart and soul, it’s got to be French Onion Soup. From its golden, gooey layer of bubbling Gruyère to the sweet, aromatic depths of caramelized onions, each spoonful sings of classic French tradition and simple, honest ingredients. Whether you’re digging in on a cozy night or hoping to seriously impress dinner guests, this soup is the definition of cozy, flavorful cooking at its best.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of French Onion Soup lies in its simplicity—each ingredient is absolutely essential, working in harmony to build rich layers of flavor, color, and irresistible aroma. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need and why every element matters.

6 large yellow onions: The star of the show, these onions become sweet, deeply savory, and meltingly tender when caramelized.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter: This adds silkiness and helps unlock the onions’ sweetness as they cook low and slow.
2 tablespoons olive oil: Blending oil with butter gives you great flavor while preventing burning as the onions caramelize.
1 teaspoon sugar: A small boost to encourage even, gorgeous browning of the onions.
4 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic steps in to add a gentle aroma and depth right after the onions have caramelized.
8 cups beef broth: A robust base brings savory backbone to the soup—use a good-quality broth for best results.
1/2 cup dry white wine or sherry: This splash of acidity lifts the soup and adds a lovely, subtle fruitiness.
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme: Aromatic thyme gives the broth a classic French flavor that feels both rustic and refined.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste: Fine-tune your seasoning to make every flavor pop.
1 baguette, sliced: Slices become the golden, crunchy base for all that glorious melted cheese—day-old bread works best.
2 cups grated Gruyère cheese: Gruyère is the grand finale: nutty, melty, and perfectly gooey when broiled on top!

How to Make French Onion Soup

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

This step is where the magic starts. In your largest, heaviest pot, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sprinkle in the sugar—this little bit of sugar helps everything brown up beautifully. Now, patience is your friend! Stir frequently and watch the onions soften, then slowly become rich, deep brown and totally jammy. This can take anywhere from 45 minutes to a full hour, but the transformation is absolutely worth it. Low and slow is the key to that deep, sweet onion flavor French Onion Soup is famous for.

Step 2: Add Garlic

Once your onions are dark and perfectly caramelized, toss in the minced garlic. Let it cook for just a minute—it will become fragrant very quickly. Stir it through the onions, letting its warmth meld with all those sweet, savory notes.

Step 3: Deglaze with Wine or Sherry

Pour in the white wine or sherry while scraping the bottom of your pot with a wooden spoon. This step lifts all the flavorful brown bits (the “fond”) stuck to the bottom, enriching the broth and adding complexity. Let the wine bubble away until it’s almost evaporated but the pan smells absolutely divine.

Step 4: Add Broth and Thyme, Then Simmer

Pour in the beef broth, add the thyme, and turn up the heat until everything reaches a gentle boil. Once simmering, lower the heat and let the soup gently bubble for about 30 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld into that hearty, mouthwatering base we want from French Onion Soup. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper until it tastes just right.

Step 5: Toast the Baguette

While the soup simmers, preheat your broiler and lay the sliced baguette on a baking sheet. Toast until both sides are crunchy and golden—this will let the bread hold up beautifully under all the cheese and broth.

Step 6: Assemble and Broil

Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls, then float a toasted slice or two of baguette on top. Pile a generous amount of grated Gruyère over each bowl—it might seem like a lot, but that’s the point! Slide the bowls under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling, browned, and impossible to resist. Serve immediately so everyone gets that perfect first spoonful of melted cheese, crisp bread, and rich, savory soup underneath.

How to Serve French Onion Soup

Garnishes

A finishing touch can take your French Onion Soup from restaurant-worthy to unforgettable at home. Sprinkle a few extra thyme leaves or a crack of fresh black pepper on top just before serving. If you want a little color, a small sprig of parsley or chives looks beautiful against the golden cheese.

Side Dishes

This soup shines as a meal all on its own, but you can pair it with a lightly dressed green salad or some steamed vegetables for a little freshness and crunch. If you want to keep things French, add a simple charcuterie platter with cured meats and olives—it’s a crowd-pleaser every time.

Creative Ways to Present

Try making mini French Onion Soup portions in small ramekins for an elegant appetizer at a dinner party. Or, serve in rustic mugs topped with just a single crostini for a cozy, informal vibe. For extra flair, pass a small torch over each cheese-topped bowl tableside to get that irresistibly bubbly, caramelized finish right in front of your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra French Onion Soup, let it cool to room temperature before transferring to airtight containers. It keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days, and the flavor actually deepens as it sits, making for fantastic leftovers.

Freezing

Want to stash some away for a rainy day? French Onion Soup (without the bread and cheese on top) freezes beautifully. Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space at the top for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, defrost overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stovetop. For the full French Onion Soup experience, toast fresh baguette slices and top each bowl with cheese before broiling as usual. The soup will taste just as comforting and delicious as freshly made.

FAQs

What onions work best for French Onion Soup?

Yellow onions are the gold standard—they caramelize beautifully and become sweet and rich. If you’re in a pinch, you can use a mix of yellow, white, and even a little red onion for deeper flavor, but yellow onions alone make a classic version.

Can I make this French Onion Soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap in a good-quality vegetable broth and use a mild plant-based cheese or skip the cheese entirely for a lighter version. You’ll still get lovely caramelized onion flavor, just with a slightly different character.

Do I need special bowls for French Onion Soup?

Oven-safe bowls or crocks are ideal because they’ll handle the broiler without cracking. If you don’t have them, you can toast the bread with cheese separately, then carefully place on top of each serving before bringing to the table.

Can I use a different cheese?

Gruyère is classic for its melt and nutty flavor, but Swiss, Comté, or even mozzarella work in a pinch. For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of Parmesan on top before broiling.

What’s the best bread to use?

Day-old baguette slices are traditional—they’re sturdy enough to soak up broth without getting too soggy. If you need a gluten-free version, use a high-quality gluten-free loaf and toast as usual.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special celebration, French Onion Soup is a dish that proves simple ingredients and a little patience can create something magical. Don’t be afraid to make it your own—once you taste that first spoonful, I promise you’ll be hooked. Give this recipe a try and let it bring a little French bistro charm to your kitchen!

French Onion Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich and comforting flavors of French Onion Soup with this easy-to-follow recipe. Caramelized onions, savory beef broth, and gooey Gruyère cheese come together to create a bowl of warmth perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Onion Mixture:

6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar

Soup Base:

4 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups beef broth
1/2 cup dry white wine or sherry
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For Serving:

1 baguette, sliced
2 cups grated Gruyère cheese

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Instructions

Caramelize Onions: In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sugar, cooking slowly until deeply caramelized, about 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring frequently.
Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Pour in the white wine or sherry to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits.
Simmer Soup: Add the beef broth and thyme, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Finish and Serve: Preheat the broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, place toasted baguette slices on top, and generously sprinkle with Gruyère cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes. Serve hot.