French Onion Soup
Ingredients
- 4 large yellow onions
see notes for pound conversion
- 2 large sweet onions
Vidalia
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 Bay leaves
- ¾ cup dry white wine
Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio
- 3 tablespoons flour
optional
- 4 cups beef broth
high quality is key
- 1 beef bouillon cube
or 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- to tasteSalt/Pepper
- 1 baguette
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
optional
- 6 slices Gruyere cheese
Directions
- 1
Slice the onions into ¼-inch slices, (no thinner). They'll reduce in size quite a bit and you don’t want them to be too stringy. (Using a mandoline slicer makes this much easier).
- 2
Melt the butter in a large soup pot or dutch oven over medium-low heat. Wait until it begins to foam, this allows water to evaporate out, leaving the butter more clarified and smooth.
- 3
Add the onions and use tongs to toss and coat them in the butter. Leave them uncovered as they cook.
- 4
The onions will caramelize slowly, up to 2 hours or longer. Stir them every 10-15 minutes. As the onions caramelize, they may leave some brown residue at the bottom of the pot. Add a splash of wine and use a silicone spatula to 'clean' the bottom of the pot. Repeat as needed throughout the cooking process
- 5
When the onions are nearly done, sprinkle flour over them and cook for 2 minutes. Add any remaining wine and increase the heat to medium-high. Toss the onions more frequently. They are done when they are richly brown and sweet.
- 6
Add the beef broth, beef bouillon, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves and thyme. Simmer over medium heat for 45 minutes with the lid cracked.
- 7
While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 350° F.
- 8
Slice the baguette into ½ inch thick slices. Brush the tops with olive oil and bake for about 5 minutes.
- 9
Increase the oven temperature to 450° F. Top each baguette with cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese melts and begins to bubble and brown.
- 10
Remove the bay leaves and thyme stems. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- 11
Ladle the warm soup into each bowl and top each of them with the warm baguettes. Serve!
French Onion Soup
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About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate comfort food that feels both elegant and deeply satisfying? This classic French Onion Soup recipe delivers rich, savory flavors, topped with crusty baguettes and beautifully melted Gruyere cheese, right in your own kitchen.
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to an truly exceptional French Onion Soup lies in three key elements: perfectly caramelized onions, a high-quality beef broth, and a splash of dry white wine to build complexity. Our recipe combines the sweetness of Vidalia onions with the savory depth of yellow onions, slow-cooked to a deep, golden-brown perfection. This meticulous layering of flavors creates a broth that is both robust and incredibly nuanced, far surpassing any store-bought version.
What truly sets this soup apart is the thoughtful combination of ingredients. High-quality beef broth is fortified with a beef bouillon cube and chicken broth, creating an unparalleled foundation. The dry white wine adds a critical acidic balance, cutting through the richness, while a touch of Worcestershire sauce deepens the umami. The optional flour helps to build a silky texture, ensuring every spoonful is pure bliss. Finally, the crowning glory of warm, toasted baguette slices draped with bubbling, golden Gruyere cheese provides the perfect counterpoint of texture and salty goodness.
What to Expect
Prepare for a truly heartwarming experience. You'll savor a deeply aromatic, dark amber broth with incredibly tender, sweet caramelized onions. The richness of the soup is perfectly balanced by the subtle tang of wine. Each bite is elevated by the irresistible combination of a crisp, olive oil-brushed baguette soaking up the flavorful broth, crowned with gooey, nutty Gruyere cheese that stretches delightfully. This is a substantial, satisfying soup that feels like a warm hug, perfect for a chilly evening.
Customization & Variations
For a richer soup, consider adding an extra tablespoon of butter when caramelizing the onions. If you prefer a thicker broth, ensure you include the optional 3 tablespoons of flour; for a naturally gluten-free option, simply omit it. While Gruyere is traditional, you can experiment with other good melting cheeses like Provolone or Swiss for a slightly different flavor profile. Don't have a baguette? Any crusty day-old bread will do in a pinch, though a fresh baguette is ideal for its texture.
Serve this French Onion Soup as a comforting appetizer or a decadent main course on a cozy night. It's a show-stopping dish that elevates any meal, making guests feel truly special.