Description
Classic French Onion Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring caramelized onions simmered in a rich beef broth, seasoned with thyme and bay leaf, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère cheese. Perfect for a cozy meal, it offers a savory balance of sweet onions and cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
For Serving
- 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
- 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the onions: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, sugar, and salt. Stir occasionally, cooking slowly until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 40-50 minutes. This process develops the rich, sweet flavor essential to the soup.
- Add herbs and broth: Stir in the fresh thyme leaves and bay leaf, then pour in the beef broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld for about 20 minutes. Season with additional salt if needed.
- Prepare the bread: While the soup simmers, slice the baguette and toast the slices until golden and crispy. You can toast them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or under a broiler carefully to avoid burning.
- Assemble and bake: Preheat the oven’s broiler. Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls or crocks. Place the toasted baguette slices on top of each bowl and generously sprinkle with grated Gruyère cheese. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Carefully remove the bowls from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and serve warm. Enjoy the rich and comforting flavors of French Onion Soup.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
- Use a good quality Gruyère cheese for the best melt and flavor.
- Caramelizing onions slowly is key to developing the soup’s signature sweetness and depth.
- Be cautious when broiling to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- This soup can be prepared in advance; reheat gently before serving and re-broil cheese topping.
