Perfect French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup is a rich and comforting dish, made with caramelized onions simmered in a flavorful broth and topped with a golden, cheesy crust. It’s the kind of soup that warms you from the inside out, with its deep, savory flavor and perfect balance of sweetness from the onions.

Whether you’re making this on a chilly evening or serving it as a starter for a dinner party, this soup is sure to impress. If you’ve never tried making French Onion Soup at home, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to recreate this bistro classic. And don’t worry if you’re not a fan of heavy soups, this one is light yet satisfying, with the perfect blend of textures. The crisp, cheesy bread on top paired with the silky soup underneath makes every bite irresistible!

Kitchen Equipment Needed:

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Baking sheet
• Oven-safe soup bowls
• Cheese grater
• Ladle

Ingredients:

For the Soup:

• 6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for helping caramelize the onions)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 8 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter version)
• 1 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Topping:

• 1 baguette, sliced into rounds
• 2 cups Gruyère or Swiss cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Olive oil for brushing the baguette slices

Directions:

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

1. Heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven.
2. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften, about 10 minutes.
3. Sprinkle with sugar (optional) to aid in caramelization. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the onions for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply golden and caramelized.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 2: Build the Soup

1. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
2. Slowly add the broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the white wine (if using), bay leaf, and thyme.
3. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs before serving.

Step 3: Prepare the Topping

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil.
2. Toast the bread in the oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.
3. Remove the baguette slices and set the oven to broil.
4. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls and top each one with a toasted baguette slice. Sprinkle generously with Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.

Step 4: Broil and Serve

1. Place the bowls on the baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
2. Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and serve immediately, being cautious as they will be very hot.

Prep Time:

• 15 minutes

Cook Time:

• 1 hour

Total Time:

• 1 hour 15 minutes

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Protein: 14g
• Sugar: 9g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg

This Perfect French Onion Soup is a true classic, offering rich flavors with minimal ingredients. The caramelized onions bring out a natural sweetness, while the melted Gruyère adds a touch of decadence, making it a comforting dish perfect for any occasion.

Perfect French Onion Soup

a rich and comforting dish, made with caramelized onions simmered in a flavorful broth and topped with a golden, cheesy crust. It’s the kind of soup that warms you from the inside out, with its deep, savory flavor and perfect balance of sweetness from the onions. Whether you’re making this on a chilly evening or serving it as a starter for a dinner party, this soup is sure to impress.

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Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Chef's knife
• Cutting board
• Baking sheet
• Oven-safe soup bowls
• Cheese grater
• Ladle

Ingredients

  

• 6 large yellow onions thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar optional, for helping caramelize the onions
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 8 cups beef broth or vegetable broth for a lighter version
• 1 cup dry white wine optional
• 1 bay leaf
• 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Topping:
• 1 baguette sliced into rounds
• 2 cups Gruyère or Swiss cheese grated
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• Olive oil for brushing the baguette slices

Instructions

 

• Step 1: Caramelize the Onions
• Heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven.
• Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle with sugar (optional) to aid in caramelization. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the onions for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply golden and caramelized.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
• Step 2: Build the Soup
• Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
• Slowly add the broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the white wine (if using), bay leaf, and thyme.
• Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs before serving.
• Step 3: Prepare the Topping
• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil.
• Toast the bread in the oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Remove the baguette slices and set the oven to broil.
• Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls and top each one with a toasted baguette slice. Sprinkle generously with Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
• Step 4: Broil and Serve
• Place the bowls on the baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
• Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and serve immediately, being cautious as they will be very hot.
• Prep Time:
• 15 minutes
• Cook Time:
• 1 hour
• Total Time:
• 1 hour 15 minutes
• Nutrition (per serving):
• Calories: 350
• Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Protein: 14g
• Sugar: 9g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• This Perfect French Onion Soup is a true classic, offering rich flavors with minimal ingredients. The caramelized onions bring out a natural sweetness, while the melted Gruyère adds a touch of decadence, making it a comforting dish perfect for any occasion.