Description

This Easy French Onion Soup recipe delivers a rich, deeply flavorful classic French comfort food with caramelized onions, savory beef broth, crusty toasted baguette, and a gooey melted Gruyere cheese topping. Perfect for a cozy meal, it’s simple to make and guaranteed to impress with its authentic taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

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

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Instructions

Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet with high sides, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, fresh thyme leaves (removed from the sprigs), and bay leaf. Cook the onions slowly on low heat, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent sticking, until they turn deeply golden and caramelized. This process takes about 45 minutes and is crucial for developing the soup’s deep, sweet flavor. Add a teaspoon of salt during cooking.
Deglaze and Simmer: Once the onions are richly caramelized, pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil so the alcohol evaporates. Then add the beef broth and bring the soup back to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently while you preheat your broiler. Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Prepare for Broiling: Ladle the hot soup evenly into four oven-safe bowls. Place a toasted slice of baguette on top of each bowl. Generously sprinkle the grated Gruyere cheese over each baguette slice, covering them well to ensure a cheesy crust after broiling.
Broil the Soup: Position the bowls under your oven broiler. Broil for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly. Watch closely to prevent burning the cheese.
Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish each bowl with fresh thyme leaves for aroma and a fresh finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the deliciously warm and comforting soup at its best.

Notes

Onion Choice: Yellow onions are traditional, but mixing yellow, white, and red onions adds extra complexity to the flavor.
Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use wine, substitute it with an equal amount of beef broth mixed with a splash of vinegar for acidity.
Cheese Options: Gruyere is classic, but Swiss, Emmental, or a blend of cheeses can be used for a unique twist.
Broiler Tip: Always monitor the soup closely under the broiler to avoid burning the cheese topping.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (1 bowl)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 9 g
Sodium: 850 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 15 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg