How to Make the Best French Onion Soup Ever

Hey, friend! Are you ready to learn how to make the most delicious and comforting soup ever? I’m talking about French onion soup, of course. This classic dish is one of my favorites, and I’m sure you’ll love it too.

French onion soup is a simple but satisfying soup that consists of caramelized onions, beef broth, wine, cheese and bread. It’s rich, hearty and full of flavor. You can enjoy it as a starter, a main course or even a late-night snack. It’s perfect for any occasion, especially when the weather is cold and you need something warm and cozy.

In this post, I’ll show you how to make French onion soup from scratch, with easy-to-follow steps and tips. You’ll see that it’s not hard at all, and the result is totally worth it. You’ll end up with a bowl of steaming hot soup that will make your mouth water and your stomach happy.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

French Onion Soup Recipe

French onion soup is a delicious and easy recipe that you can make at home with simple ingredients.

It's a great way to use up leftover bread and cheese, and it's perfect for any occasion.

You can enjoy it as a starter, a main course or a snack, and pair it with your favorite wine and salad.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1 15

Total Time 1 30

Course Soup

Cuisine French

Servings 4

Equipment

Large pot
Skillet
Baking sheet
4 oven-safe bowls

Ingredients

4 tablespoons of butter
4 large onions thinly sliced
4 cloves of garlic minced
4 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
6 cups of beef broth
1/2 cup of dry white wine
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
8 slices of crusty bread
2 cups of grated cheese I like Gruyere or Swiss
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onions, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper and cook for about 40 minutes or until the onions are soft and golden brown, stirring occasionally.
Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the broth, wine and Worcestershire sauce and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cut the bread into slices and toast them on a baking sheet for 10 minutes or until crisp.
Ladle the soup into four oven-safe bowls and place them on a baking sheet. Top each bowl with two slices of bread and some cheese.
Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Nutritional Facts per Serving:

Calories: 620 cal

Fat: 32 g

Carbohydrates: 56 g

Protein: 28 g

Keyword french, onion soup

Some circumstances where this would be a great recipe to have are:

When you want to impress your guests with a classic French dish
When you need a warm and comforting meal on a cold day
When you have leftover bread and cheese that you don’t want to waste
When you crave something savory and satisfying

Recommended Pairing Drink:

For drinks, I recommend a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. They complement the savory flavor of the soup without overpowering it.

Recommended Pairing Dish:

French onion soup goes well with a crisp green salad or a roasted vegetable dish. You can also serve it with some extra bread for dipping.

Useful Tips:

Use yellow or sweet onions for this recipe. They have more natural sugars than red or white onions, which makes them easier to caramelize.
Cut the onions thinly and evenly so they cook at the same rate.
Be patient when caramelizing the onions. It takes time but it’s worth it. Don’t stir them too often or they will burn instead of browning.
Use good quality beef broth for the best flavor. You can also use chicken or vegetable broth if you prefer.
If you don’t have oven-safe bowls, you can use a baking dish instead. Just arrange the bread and cheese over the soup and bake as directed.

FAQs:

How do I store leftover French onion soup?

You can store leftover French onion soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as above.

Can I make French onion soup in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can. For the slow cooker, follow the same steps as the recipe above until step 3.
Transfer the onion mixture to the slow cooker and add the broth, wine and Worcestershire sauce.
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Proceed with the rest of the recipe as usual.

For the Instant Pot, follow the same steps as above until step 2.
Turn on the sauté function and cook the onion mixture for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the broth, wine and Worcestershire sauce and stir well.
Close the lid and set the valve to sealing.
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes and then do a quick release.
Proceed with the rest of the recipe as usual.

What kind of cheese should I use for French onion soup?

The traditional cheese for French onion soup is Gruyere, which is a Swiss cheese that has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor. It melts well and forms a nice crust on top of the soup. You can also use Swiss cheese, Emmental, Comte or any other cheese that melts well and has a mild flavor.

I hope you liked this recipe and found it helpful. If you did, please share it with your friends and family, and leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!

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How to Make the Best French Onion Soup Ever