Description
A rich and comforting French Onion Soup featuring slow-caramelized onions, savory beef broth, and a golden, bubbly Gruyère topping. Perfect for cozy nights or elegant starters, this classic soup is packed with flavor and warmth.
Ingredients
- Yellow Onions: 6 large, thinly sliced. The base of the soup, bringing natural sweetness and depth.
- Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons. Helps caramelize the onions and adds richness.
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon. Prevents the butter from burning.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Adds a savory punch.
- Beef Broth: 6 cups. Provides a hearty base with bold flavor.
- Dry White Wine: 1 cup. Used to deglaze and add brightness.
- Bay Leaf: 1 whole. Infuses earthy aroma.
- Fresh Thyme: 4 sprigs. Adds an herbal layer that complements the sweetness.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon. Balances and enhances all flavors.
- Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon. Adds subtle heat.
- Baguette Slices: 8 pieces. Toasted to hold up under the cheese.
- Gruyère Cheese: 2 cups, shredded. Melts into a golden, bubbling blanket of goodness.
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat your oven to 400°F to toast your baguette slices later.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter and olive oil. Add sliced onions and stir to coat. Cook slowly, stirring often, for 40 to 50 minutes until deeply caramelized. Stir in garlic during the last minute of cooking.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up browned bits. Let it reduce by half, then add beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Assemble the Dish: While the soup simmers, place baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove thyme and bay leaf from the soup.
- Cook to Perfection: Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top each with a slice or two of toasted bread, and generously cover with shredded Gruyère.
- Finishing Touches: Place the bowls under a broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbling with a golden-brown crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Carefully remove bowls and let cool for a minute. Serve warm with extra bread on the side if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and flavor.
- Caramelize onions slowly to develop deep sweetness.
- Toast the bread to prevent sogginess under the cheese.
- Adjust seasoning to taste after simmering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop and Broiler
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: French Onion Soup, Caramelized Onion Soup, Comfort Food, Classic Soup, Homemade Soup