🧅 French Onion Soup
French onion soup is a classic, rich, and savory soup made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and topped with toasted bread and melted cheese. It’s comforting and perfect as a starter or light meal.
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 8 cups beef broth (or a mix of beef and chicken broth)
- ½ cup dry white wine or sherry (optional)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Caramelize Onions
- In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add sliced onions and sugar, and cook 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and caramelized.
2️⃣ Add Garlic & Flour
- Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Sprinkle flour over onions and cook 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to remove raw flour taste.
3️⃣ Add Liquid & Seasonings
- Slowly add wine (if using), scraping up browned bits.
- Stir in beef broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer and cook 20–30 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
4️⃣ Prepare Topping
- Preheat oven broiler.
- Toast baguette slices until golden.
5️⃣ Serve
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls.
- Place toasted bread on top and sprinkle with cheese.
- Broil 2–5 minutes until cheese melts and is bubbly.
🔥 Tips
- Low and slow caramelization of onions is key for deep flavor.
- Deglaze the pan with wine or sherry to add richness.
- Use oven-safe bowls for broiling cheese directly on top.
- Substitute Gruyère with Swiss or Fontina if preferred.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Serve as an appetizer or light dinner
- Pair with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables
- Enjoy with crusty bread to soak up the rich broth
I can also provide a quick stovetop French onion soup or a slow-cooker version if you want something faster or make-ahead.
Do you want me to give one of those variations?
