This cozy French Onion Soup is all about rich, sweet onions cooked down and melted cheese on top. It’s a warm hug in a bowl that’s perfect for chilly nights!
Honestly, who can resist the gooey cheese stretching from the bowl? I love to serve it with crusty bread for dipping—it’s like a flavor party! 🥖🧀
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Yellow Onions: These are crucial for developing that sweet flavor through caramelization. If you can’t find yellow onions, sweet onions (like Vidalia) work too. Just avoid red onions—they’re not sweet enough for this soup.
Unsalted Butter & Olive Oil: Combining both fat sources helps with flavor and prevents burning. If you’re dairy-free, you can use vegan butter or just olive oil.
Beef Broth: This gives the soup richness. If you prefer a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead. It may change the flavor slightly, but you’ll still get a tasty soup.
Gruyère Cheese: This cheese melts beautifully and adds flavor. If Gruyère is hard to find, you can use Swiss cheese or a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan for a different twist.
How Do I Get the Onions Perfectly Caramelized?
Caramelizing onions is key to this soup, giving it that rich flavor we love. Here’s how to do it right:
- Keep the heat medium-low. If it’s too hot, the onions will burn instead of caramelizing.
- Patience is essential! Cook onions for about 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become deep golden brown.
- Sprinkle sugar halfway through cooking to help with the caramelization. This boosts the sweetness!
How to Make French Onion Soup
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups beef broth (preferably low sodium)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
- 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
- Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful French Onion Soup takes about 1.5 hours to make—around 45 minutes for caramelizing the onions and about 30 minutes for simmering the soup. You’ll need an additional 5 minutes for toasting the bread and melting the cheese under the broiler. So, gather your ingredients and get ready for some kitchen fun!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Start with Sautéing the Onions:
In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and stir to coat them evenly in the buttery goodness. We want to cook these onions slowly, stirring occasionally, until they turn deep golden brown and very soft. This should take about 35-45 minutes. Sprinkle the sugar over the onions halfway through to help with caramelization—trust me, this makes all the difference!
2. Mix in the Garlic:
Once your onions are beautifully caramelized, add the minced garlic and let it cook for about 1-2 minutes until you can smell all that garlicy goodness. Don’t let it burn—just enough to get fragrant!
3. Deglaze and Simmer:
Now it’s time to add a splash of white wine to deglaze the pot—this means you’ll be scraping up any browned bits sticking to the bottom, which is packed with flavor! Let the wine reduce for a couple of minutes. Next, add the beef broth, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring it all to a simmer and gently cook for another 20-30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and remember to remove the bay leaf before serving!
4. Prepare the Toasted Baguette:
While your soup is simmering, preheat your broiler. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them until they are golden brown. Flip them and give the other side a quick toast too. Just keep an eye on them—they can go from golden to burnt pretty quickly!
5. Assemble and Broil:
Time to serve this delicious creation! Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place one or two toasted baguette slices on top of each bowl and generously sprinkle grated Gruyère cheese over the bread. Place the bowls under the broiler for about 2-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned. Make sure to watch them closely!
6. Final Touches and Enjoy:
Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if you like. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, cozy goodness of your homemade French Onion Soup!
Can I Use Any Type of Onion for This Recipe?
While yellow onions are ideal for their sweetness and flavor, you can also use sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla. Avoid red onions since they won’t caramelize as well for this soup.
Can I Make This Soup Vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply swap the beef broth for vegetable broth. You can also add a splash of soy sauce or worcestershire sauce (if not strict vegetarian) to enhance the umami flavor!
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you’ve added the cheese, it’s better to store the soup and cheese separately to maintain texture. Reheat on the stove over low heat, adding more broth if needed.
Can I Freeze French Onion Soup?
Yes, you can freeze the soup without the bread and cheese for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. When serving, prepare fresh baguette slices and cheese just before enjoying for the best texture.
