Description
Classic French Onion Soup features rich caramelized onions simmered in a flavorful beef broth, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses broiled to golden perfection. This hearty and comforting soup is perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 medium yellow onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Soup Topping
- 8 slices French baguette
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 slices Gruyère cheese or provolone
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until tender. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring every 3 to 5 minutes, until onions are caramelized and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Butter: Stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until butter melts and garlic becomes fragrant.
- Simmer Soup: Pour in 8 cups beef broth and 1/4 cup dry sherry if using. Season with 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 30 minutes to develop flavors.
- Toast Baguette: Preheat your oven broiler, placing a rack about 8 inches from the heating element. Brush both sides of the baguette slices with olive oil. Arrange slices on a baking sheet and broil for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Prepare Bowls: Place 4 oven-safe bowls on a baking sheet. Ladle soup into each bowl, then top each with 2 toasted baguette slices. Add 1 slice of Gruyère cheese and sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon grated Parmesan over each bowl.
- Broil Cheese: Carefully place the baking sheet with the bowls under the broiler. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to brown, watching carefully as broiler times vary.
- Serve: Serve immediately while cheese is melted and bubbly for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth and use vegetarian cheese.
- If dry sherry is unavailable, white wine or additional broth can be used as a substitute.
- Watch the broiler carefully while toasting bread and melting cheese to prevent burning.
- You can caramelize onions in advance and refrigerate to save time.
- Gruyère can be replaced with Emmental or Swiss cheese if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
