Description
This classic French Onion Soup is rich, flavorful, and easy to make with caramelized onions, a savory beef broth base, and melty Gruyere cheese atop toasted baguette slices. Perfect for a cozy meal, this recipe combines slow-cooked onions with the broiled cheesy topping to deliver a comforting French bistro experience at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Onion 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
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet with high sides, heat the butter and oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, thyme leaves (removed from sprigs), and bay leaf. Cook the onions on low heat until they are deeply caramelized, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent sticking, and adding a teaspoon of salt. This process takes up to 45 minutes and is essential to develop the soup’s rich flavor.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Once the onions are a deep caramel color, deglaze the pan with the white wine. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, allowing the alcohol to evaporate. Add the beef broth, bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Prepare for Broiling: Ladle the soup into four oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a toasted slice of baguette. Divide the grated cheese evenly among the bowls, ensuring each has a generous amount on top.
- Broil the Soup: Place the bowls under the preheated broiler until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning the cheese.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish each bowl with additional fresh thyme leaves if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your classic French Onion Soup.
Notes
- Onion Choice: Yellow onions are traditional, but using a mix of yellow, white, and red onions adds complexity to the flavor.
- Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with an equal amount of beef broth plus a splash of vinegar to maintain acidity.
- Cheese Options: Gruyere is classic, but Emmental, Swiss, or a combination of cheeses also work well.
- Broiler Tip: Always watch closely when broiling to prevent the cheese from burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 350g)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
