Craving a warm, elegant meal? French Onion Soup blends caramelized onions, rich broth, and melty cheese for a cozy, decadent treat! These Classic French Soups are perfect for chilly nights or gatherings. Try this simple recipe for a soul-soothing, crowd-pleasing dish!
Why You’ll Love French Onion Soup
- Rich: French Onion Soup bursts with umami in these classic French soups.
- Cozy: Perfectly warming for these cheesy onion bowls.
- Easy: Simple steps for this simple recipe.
- Versatile: Adaptable for diets with these classic French soups.
- Elegant: Ideal for special occasions with these cheesy onion bowls.
Ingredients for French Onion Soup
Here’s what you’ll need for these classic French soups (makes ~4 servings):
- ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter
- 3 lbs (1.4kg) yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 6 large onions)
- ½ cup (120ml) dry white wine
- ¼ cup (60ml) dry sherry
- 2 tbsp (15g) all-purpose flour
- 6 cups (1.4L) beef stock
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 slices rustic sourdough or baguette (about 120g)
- 1 garlic clove, halved
- 1 cup (100g) shredded Gruyère cheese
- ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
Substitution: Use vegetable stock for vegetarian; gluten-free flour and bread; vegan cheese for plant-based.
Equipment
- Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Oven-safe bowls or ramekins
- Ladle
Ingredient Tips
- Onions: Sweet, jammy base for these cheesy onion bowls.
- Gruyère and Parmesan: Melty, nutty richness for these classic French soups.
- Beef Stock: Deep flavor for this simple recipe.
- Sourdough: Crusty texture for these cheesy onion bowls.
- Wine and Sherry: Bright acidity for these classic French soups.
Directions for French Onion Soup
Let’s create these classic French soups!
Caramelize Onions
I heat ¼ cup olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat, add 3 lbs sliced onions with 1 tsp salt, cover, and cook 15 minutes. I uncover and cook 35–45 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden for these French Onion Soup bowls.
Deglaze and Thicken
I add ½ cup white wine and ¼ cup sherry, scrape the pot, stir in 2 tbsp flour, and cook 1–2 minutes for these cheesy onion bowls.
Add Stock and Season
I pour in 6 cups beef stock, add 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 3 thyme sprigs, 2 bay leaves, and ½ tsp pepper, then simmer 20 minutes, discarding herbs after, for these classic French soups.
Toast Bread
I brush 4 sourdough slices with olive oil, bake at 400°F (200°C) until golden, and rub with a garlic clove for this simple recipe.
Assemble and Broil
I ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a bread slice, ¼ cup Gruyère, and 1 tbsp Parmesan per bowl, then broil until cheese is bubbly and golden for these cheesy onion bowls.
Serve
I serve hot, garnished with thyme if desired, for these classic French soups.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: ~4 servings
- Calories: ~450 kcal per serving
- Macros per Serving: 35g carbs, 15g protein, 28g fat
Variations for French Onion Soup
Try these twists for these classic French soups:
- Vegetarian: Use vegetable stock for these cheesy onion bowls.
- Lighter: Reduce butter to 1 tbsp for this simple recipe.
- Cheesy: Add extra Parmesan for these classic French soups.
- Vegan: Use dairy-free butter and cheese for these cheesy onion bowls.
- Herby: Add fresh parsley for these classic French soups’ aroma.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair with Food and Tips’ green salad for these cheesy onion bowls.
- Serve with Food and Tips’ crusty bread for these classic French soups.
- Enjoy with Food and Tips’ sparkling cider for this simple recipe.
Storage
I store these classic French soups (without bread and cheese) in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days or freeze for 2 months. I reheat on the stovetop, then add fresh toast and cheese before broiling for these cheesy onion bowls.
Serving Tips
- Presentation: Serve French Onion Soup in crocks for classic French soups appeal.
- Garnish: Sprinkle thyme for these cheesy onion bowls’ flair.
- Pairing: Enjoy with Food and Tips’ herbal tea for this simple recipe.
- Portion Size: 1–1.5 cups per serving for a starter or main.
- Occasions: Perfect for winter dinners, date nights, or holiday appetizers.
FAQs About French Onion Soup
Here are answers to common questions about these classic French soups:
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, prepare the base and refrigerate; add bread and cheese before serving for these cheesy onion bowls.
Can I use sweet onions?
Yellow onions are best, but sweet onions work for sweeter cheesy onion bowls.
No oven-safe bowls?
Broil bread and cheese separately, then top these classic French soups.
Is it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free flour and bread for this simple recipe.
How do I get a cheesy crust?
Broil with Gruyère and Parmesan for these classic French soups’ melty top.
More Delicious Soup Recipes For You
Conclusion
French Onion Soup blends caramelized onions, rich broth, and melty cheese for a decadent meal that’s ready in about 90 minutes and perfect for cozy nights or elegant gatherings. This simple recipe delivers classic French soups with bold flavor. Pair these cheesy onion bowls with salad or bread for a heartwarming, delicious experience everyone will love!
French Onion Soup
Ingredients
- ¼ cup 60ml olive oil
- 2 tbsp 30g unsalted butter
- 3 lbs 1.4kg yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 6 large onions)
- ½ cup 120ml dry white wine
- ¼ cup 60ml dry sherry
- 2 tbsp 15g all-purpose flour
- 6 cups 1.4L beef stock
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 slices rustic sourdough or baguette about 120g
- 1 garlic clove halved
- 1 cup 100g shredded Gruyère cheese
- ¼ cup 25g grated Parmesan cheese
- Substitution: Use vegetable stock for vegetarian; gluten-free flour and bread; vegan cheese for plant-based.
Instructions
Caramelize Onions
- I heat ¼ cup olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat, add 3 lbs sliced onions with 1 tsp salt, cover, and cook 15 minutes. I uncover and cook 35–45 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden for these French Onion Soup bowls.
Deglaze and Thicken
- I add ½ cup white wine and ¼ cup sherry, scrape the pot, stir in 2 tbsp flour, and cook 1–2 minutes for these cheesy onion bowls.
Add Stock and Season
- I pour in 6 cups beef stock, add 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 3 thyme sprigs, 2 bay leaves, and ½ tsp pepper, then simmer 20 minutes, discarding herbs after, for these classic French soups.
Toast Bread
- I brush 4 sourdough slices with olive oil, bake at 400°F (200°C) until golden, and rub with a garlic clove for this simple recipe.
Assemble and Broil
- I ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a bread slice, ¼ cup Gruyère, and 1 tbsp Parmesan per bowl, then broil until cheese is bubbly and golden for these cheesy onion bowls.
Serve
- I serve hot, garnished with thyme if desired, for these classic French soups.
Notes
- Caramelize onions low and slow for the best flavor.
- Gruyère or Swiss cheese melt best and give authentic flavor.
- Vegetarian option: use vegetable broth.
- For gluten-free, use GF flour and bread.
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