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Classic French Onion Soup Recipe – Perfectly Savory

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French Onion Soup is a classic French dish known for its rich, caramelized onion flavor and a savory broth, topped with a layer of melted cheese and crispy toasted bread. This comforting soup is perfect for cold weather and can be enjoyed as a starter or main course. Its deep, savory taste and cheesy topping make it an all-time favorite.

 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 slices of baguette or crusty bread, toasted
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or a mix of Gruyère and Swiss cheese)

Instructions

  • Caramelize the onions:
    In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 25-30 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and caramelized. Be sure to stir the onions every few minutes to prevent burning.
  • Add garlic and deglaze:
    Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. If using, pour in the white wine and stir to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Let the wine cook off for 2-3 minutes.
  • Prepare the broth:
    Add the beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  • Toast the bread:
    While the soup is simmering, toast the baguette or bread slices in a toaster or on a baking sheet in the oven until crispy and golden.
  • Assemble the soup:
    Once the soup is ready, remove the bay leaf. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls or crocks. Place a slice of toasted bread on top of each bowl of soup, then sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese generously over the bread.
  • Broil the cheese:
    Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil them under the oven’s broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  • Serve:
    Remove the bowls from the oven carefully and serve hot, garnished with additional fresh thyme if desired.

Notes

  • If you prefer a more intense onion flavor, you can cook the onions a bit longer to get them extra caramelized.
  • You can substitute Gruyère with Swiss cheese or a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan if needed.
  • To make this soup vegetarian, use vegetable broth in place of the beef broth and skip the meat-based broths.
  • French Onion Soup is even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to develop.

Keywords: French Onion Soup, caramelized onion soup, cheesy onion soup, homemade French onion soup, classic French soup, cheesy bread soup, onion soup recipe, easy French onion soup, comforting soup, French onion soup with cheese.

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