French Onion Soup Recipe
French Onion Soup recipe is a beloved classic, known for its deep caramelized onion flavor, savory broth, and cheesy topping. This dish is perfect for chilly nights or as an impressive starter. With simple ingredients, you can achieve restaurant-quality results right at home. Let’s explore how to prepare this warm and comforting soup in just a few easy steps.
Equipment
- Large soup pot
- Wooden spoon
- Ladle
- Soup bowls
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 4 large yellow onion thinly sliced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 cloves garlic
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices french baguette
- 1 1/2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1. Caramelize the onions:In a large soup pot, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, sugar, and salt. Stir frequently, cooking for about 25 minutes until the onions turn golden brown and caramelized. This process is essential to achieve the deep, rich flavor in the soup.2. Add garlic and herbs:After the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the thyme and bay leaf.3. Deglaze with wine:Pour in the dry white wine and scrape up the caramelized bits from the bottom of the pot using a wooden spoon. Allow the wine to reduce and simmer for 2–3 minutes to deepen the flavor.4. Simmer the broth:Add the beef broth to the pot, bring it to a simmer, and cook for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.5. Prepare the toast:While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the slices of French baguette on a baking sheet and toast them for 5–7 minutes until golden and crispy.6. Add cheese and broil:Once the soup is ready, ladle it into oven-safe bowls. Place a slice of toasted baguette on top of each bowl of soup, then sprinkle a generous amount of shredded Gruyère cheese on top. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly and golden brown.7. Serve and enjoy:Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and serve the French Onion Soup immediately. Enjoy the rich flavors and gooey, cheesy topping.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, you can substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
- For extra flavor, use a mix of Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
- Make sure to caramelize the onions slowly, as this step defines the soup’s flavor.
