Description
This classic French Onion Soup features sweet, caramelized onions in a rich broth, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère cheese. It’s comforting, deeply flavorful, and perfect for cold days!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Soup:
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil for a vegan option)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (helps with caramelization)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 6 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 1 bay leaf
- 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the Topping:
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or dairy-free cheese for vegan)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- 1. Caramelize the Onions
- In a large pot, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add sliced onions, salt, and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 40-50 minutes until onions turn a deep golden brown. (Be patient—this step builds flavor!)
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- 2. Deglaze the Pan
- Pour in white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer until the wine reduces by half, about 3 minutes.
- 3. Simmer the Soup
- Add the broth, bay leaf, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 20-30 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs.
- 4. Prepare the Toasted Bread
- While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast for about 5-7 minutes until crispy.
- 5. Assemble and Broil
- Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls.
- Top each with a slice or two of toasted baguette.
- Sprinkle generously with Gruyère cheese.
- Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Make it Vegan: Use olive oil instead of butter, vegetable broth instead of beef broth, and dairy-free cheese.
- No Broiler? Just melt the cheese in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat.
- Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~350
- Protein: ~15g
- Carbs: ~35g
- Fat: ~18g
- Sodium: ~900mg
Nutrition
- Calories: ~350
- Sodium: ~900mg
- Fat: ~18g
- Protein: ~15g