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Best French Onion Soup Recipe: There is nothing cozier than a warm bowl of soup! Make this rich and classic, flavorful French onion soup topped with cheese and crunchy bread slices or croutons. This soup makes a hearty meal in itself.
While you are here, also check out French baguette and Broccoli cheddar soup recipe.
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The weather is getting colder, and for me and my family, there is nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of soup. I hope it is the same for all of you. Learn how to make the best French onion soup recipe restaurant-worthy with basic and simple ingredients at home.
What is French onion soup?
French onion soup (soupe à l'oignon gratinée) is a classic French dish made with caramelized onions, stock, or broth (traditionally beef, but use anything of your choice). This is then topped with bread and cheese. Onion soup is traditionally served in a ramekin or ceramic bowl with a handle.
French onion soup secret ingredient
The secret ingredient to make classic onion soup is time. Caramelizing onions is the key here. It will take 30 minutes, and the time may vary based on the pan used, the intensity of the flame, etc. Saute onions on a medium to medium-low flame so that bold flavors develop. Every single minute spent in sauteing onions is entirely worthwhile, and I suggest you do not rush while preparing this dish.
Ingredients
Fat: Use a combination of oil and butter for rich flavor.
Onions: Thinly sliced yellow or sweet onions, preferred. White or red can also be used.
Garlic: Gives extra flavor
Broth: Traditionally, beef broth is used. But you can use vegetables, chicken or any broth of your choice for savory flavor.
Wine: Adds acidity to the soup. It is optional, but you can also add apple cider vinegar.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, dried thyme, and cayenne enhance the overall flavor.
Bread and cheese: Slices of bread are placed on the soup and topped with cheese.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-by-step instructions
Peel and thinly slice the onions. Keep this aside.
How to caramelize onions?
- Add oil, butter, and garlic cloves in a large non-stick pot and saute for a minute.
- To this, add the onions, spring onions, and a pinch of salt. Cover it with the lid and cook it on a medium flame for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring it occasionally to not stick to the bottom. Cooking the onions slowly is the key here. This is what will bring out the amazing sweetness of onions and intense flavor. So, if you are in a hurry, then this soup is not for you 🙂 The timing mainly depends on the size of your pan and the heat level.
- Now open the lid and cook for another 10 minutes until moisture evaporates and the onions look golden and silky.
Add remaining ingredients
- Add vegetable stock, wine, thyme, pepper powder, and cayenne powder, bring it to a boil on medium-high heat, and simmer for around 20 minutes or until the stock gets reduced to half.
- You can taste check and adjust any seasonings now.
Baked French onion soup
- Preheat the oven to maximum or broil.
- Toast the bread slices in a non-stick pan with butter on both sides.
- Laddle soup into ramekins or oven-safe serving bowl. Place one toasted bread slice on top of it and top it with the cheese of your choice.
- Broil it in a preheated oven until the cheese bubbles and starts turning golden brown, about 2-4 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Tips
- French onion soup can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days without the bread slices or croutons. Before serving, bring it to a boil and then broil it with bread and cheese slices.
- Similarly, you can also freeze this for up to 3 months. Defrost and reheat on the stovetop, and then add bread or croutons and broil.
- Non-vegetarians can use beef broth or chicken broth.
- For extra flavor, you can use brandy, Worcestershire sauce, or fresh herbs.
- Spices like bay leaf and a pinch of nutmeg can also be added for a warming touch.
Recipe FAQs
Is French onion soup healthy?
It depends on portion size and the ingredients used. Onions are a good source of fiber antioxidants, but since butter, oil, and cheese are used, it is high in fat and calories. Always eat in moderation, and also, to make it healthier, use low-sodium broth.
What to serve with French onion soup?
French onion soup is a hearty meal in itself, but you can also serve it with french fries or waffle fries, sauteed beans, roasted potatoes, potato au gratin, risotto, roasted vegetables, etc.
What are the best onions for French onion soup?
Traditionally, yellow onions are used to make the soup, But you can also use red or white, and the taste and flavor will change accordingly.
What is the best cheese to use for French onion soup?
Traditionally, gruyere and parmesan are used. You can alternatively use one or a combination of provolone, swiss, mozzarella, gouda, or fontina. But do not skip on the cheese. The more, the better!
More easy recipes to try
- Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
- French's Crispy Fried Onions | How to make Crispy Fried Onions
- Easy Homemade No Knead Baguette
- Easy Eggplant Casserole Recipe - Vegetarian
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Recipe card
Best French Onion Soup Recipe
Kushi
Best French Onion Soup Recipe: There is nothing cozier than a warm bowl of soup! Make this rich and classic, flavorful French onion soup topped with cheese and crunchy bread slices or croutons. This soup makes a hearty meal in itself.
5 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine French
Servings 6
Calories 275 kcal
Equipment
Soup bowls
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 4 tablespoon Butter
- 2 Garlic cloves chopped
- 5 Large onions about 2 pounds (yellow sweet onions)
- 5 Spring onions or Scallions
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 5 cups Vegetable stock (any stock of your choice)
- 2 to 3 tablespoon Dry white wine or dry sherry optional skip for non-alcoholic version
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne powder optional
- 4 to 6 Bread slices
- ½ to 1 cup Cheese of your choice parmesan, swiss, mozzarella, provolone or gruyere
Instructions
Peel and thinly slice the onions. Keep this aside.
5 Large onions
How to caramelize onions?
Add oil, butter, and garlic cloves in a large non-stick pot and saute for a minute.
2 tablespoon Olive Oil, 4 tablespoon Butter, 2 Garlic cloves chopped
To this, add the onions, spring onions, and a pinch of salt. Cover it with the lid and cook it on a medium flame for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring it occasionally to not stick to the bottom. Cooking the onions slowly is the key here. This is what will bring out the amazing sweetness of onions and intense flavor. So, if you are in a hurry, then this soup is not for you 🙂 The timing mainly depends on the size of your pan and the heat level.
5 Spring onions or Scallions, Salt and pepper to taste
Now open the lid and cook for another 10 minutes until moisture evaporates and the onions look golden and silky.
Add remaining ingredients
Add vegetable stock, wine, thyme, pepper powder, and cayenne powder, bring it to a boil on medium-high heat, and simmer for around 20 minutes or until the stock gets reduced to half.
5 cups Vegetable stock, 2 to 3 tablespoon Dry white wine or dry sherry, 1 teaspoon Dried thyme, ½ teaspoon Cayenne powder
You can taste check and adjust any seasonings now.
Baked French onion soup
Preheat the oven to maximum or broil.
Toast the bread slices in a non-stick pan with butter on both sides.
4 to 6 Bread slices
Laddle soup into ramekins or oven-safe serving bowl. Place one toasted bread slice on top of it and top it with the cheese of your choice.
½ to 1 cup Cheese of your choice
Broil it in a preheated oven until the cheese bubbles and starts turning golden brown, about 2-4 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- French onion soup can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days without the bread slices or croutons. Before serving, bring it to a boil and then broil it with bread and cheese slices.
- Similarly, you can also freeze this for up to 3 months. Defrost and reheat on the stovetop, and then add bread or croutons and broil.
- Non-vegetarians can use beef broth or chicken broth.
- For extra flavor, you can use brandy, Worcestershire sauce, or fresh herbs.
- Spices like bay leaf and a pinch of nutmeg can also be added for a warming touch.
French onion soup secret ingredient
The secret ingredient to make classic onion soup is time. Caramelizing onions is the key here. It will take 30 minutes, and the time may vary based on the pan used, the intensity of the flame, etc. Saute onions on a medium to medium-low flame so that bold flavors develop. Every single minute spent in sauteing onions is entirely worthwhile, and I suggest you do not rush while preparing this dish.
Nutrition
Calories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 8gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 1036mgPotassium: 199mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 828IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 1mg
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Note: We originally posted this best French onion soup recipe in Dec 2016. It has now been modified in Sep 2023 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.
