Description
This easy French Onion Soup is a rich and flavorful classic. Made with sweet caramelized onions in a savory beef broth, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère cheese, it’s a comforting dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Units
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For the Soup:
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, for faster caramelization)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 8 cups beef broth (or a mix of beef and chicken broth)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Topping:
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1-inch thick rounds
- 2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated (or Swiss cheese)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions:
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 25–30 minutes, until deeply golden and caramelized. Add sugar for a quicker caramelization, if desired.
- Build the Soup Base:
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Simmer the Soup:
- Add the beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Baguette Slices:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden.
- Assemble and Broil:
- Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each with a toasted baguette slice and a generous amount of grated Gruyère cheese. Place the bowls under a broiler for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Remove from the oven carefully, and serve immediately with fresh thyme or parsley for garnish.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, use homemade beef stock if available.
- Substitute Gruyère with mozzarella or provolone if needed.
- The soup can be made ahead and stored without the toppings for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with topping
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg