French Onion Soup is warm and comforting, filled with sweet caramelized onions and topped with a bubbly layer of melted cheese. It’s perfect for chilly days!
I love to make this soup when the weather gets cold. The cheese on top is like a cozy blanket for your taste buds. Who can resist that? 😋
Don’t forget to serve it with some crusty bread for dipping. It’s an easy way to feel fancy at home while enjoying a classic dish!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Onions: Yellow onions are ideal for caramelizing as they turn sweet with slow cooking. If you can’t find yellow, you could use sweet onions like Vidalia or even red onions, but the flavor will slightly differ.
Butter & Olive Oil: While this soup uses both, you can substitute ghee for a richer taste or use only one type of fat if desired. Just adjust the amount accordingly!
Beef Broth: Low-sodium beef broth gives great flavor without being overly salty. Vegetable broth is a good substitute if you want a lighter version; just be aware the flavor will be different.
Gruyère Cheese: Gruyère is my favorite for its melting qualities and nutty flavor. If it’s hard to find, Swiss cheese or even provolone work well—it’ll taste delicious, just not quite the same.
How Do You Get Those Onions Perfectly Caramelized?
The key to delicious caramelized onions is patience! You want to slowly cook them to bring out their natural sugars. Here’s how I do it:
- Start with medium heat. Adding salt helps draw out moisture, speeding up the process.
- After 20 minutes, stir more often to prevent burning while they continue to caramelize.
- Don’t rush the process—give them 40-50 minutes for that perfect golden brown color and rich flavor!
How to Make French Onion Soup
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Soup:
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 8 cups beef broth (preferably low sodium)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Topping:
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
- 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful French Onion Soup takes about 15 minutes to prep, and you will need approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for cooking and simmering. Just let the flavors develop, and you’ll have a wonderful soup ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Caramelizing the Onions:
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter along with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, salt, and sugar to the pot. Cook while stirring frequently until the onions become deeply caramelized and turn golden brown—this will take about 40-50 minutes. Don’t rush this step; it brings out all that rich flavor!
2. Adding Garlic:
Once the onions are beautifully caramelized, stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until it’s fragrant. This adds an aromatic boost to your soup!
3. Deglazing with Wine:
Pour in the optional dry white wine to deglaze the pot. Make sure to scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom. Allow the wine to cook down and reduce by half, which should take about 5 minutes.
4. Building the Soup Base:
Next, add the beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf into the pot. Bring everything to a boil, then lower the heat and allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste before removing the bay leaf.
5. Toasting the Baguette:
While the soup simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with the baguette slices and toast them until they’re golden and crisp, which should take around 5-7 minutes. Take them out and get ready to build your soup bowls!
6. Serving the Soup:
To serve, ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls and place a toasted baguette slice on top of each bowl. Generously sprinkle the grated Gruyère cheese over the bread. This is where it gets delicious!
7. Broiling the Cheese:
Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil them in the oven until the cheese bubbles and turns golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning; you want that perfect melt!
8. Enjoy!
Carefully remove the bowls from the oven (they will be hot!) and sprinkle a little fresh parsley on top if you like. Serve immediately and savor every comforting spoonful of your homemade French Onion Soup!
Can I Use Different Types of Onions?
Yes, you can use other types of onions if necessary! Sweet onions like Vidalia or even red onions can work, though they may impart a slightly different flavor and sweetness to the soup.
Can I Make This Soup Vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just replace the beef broth with a good quality vegetable broth, and you can omit the wine or replace it with a splash of additional broth. The caramelized onions will still provide a rich flavor.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over low heat, and consider adding a little water or broth if it thickens up too much.
Can I Prep the Soup Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can caramelize the onions and prepare the soup base a day ahead. Store it in the fridge, then reheat and add the toasted baguette and cheese just before serving for that fresh taste!
