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French Onion Soup

Featured in Soups & Stews.

Finally figured out how to make onion soup, and honestly, it's way easier than you'd think! You just need to take your time cooking the onions 'til they're soft and sweet. I used good butter and broth, and the cheesy bread on top—OMG. It makes the whole dish. Perfect for rainy days. My family went wild for it. So much better than ordering out.
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Updated on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 18:09:39 GMT
A comforting bowl of onion soup with gooey cheese and a sprig of fresh thyme, served with bread slices. Pin it
A comforting bowl of onion soup with gooey cheese and a sprig of fresh thyme, served with bread slices. | tasteofmoms.com

Heartwarming French Onion Soup With Parisian Flair

After many trials in my own kitchen, I've nailed this comforting French onion soup recipe. The sweet, slow-cooked onions topped with gooey, melted cheese remind me of my first bowl in a small cafe along a Parisian street. This soul-warming dish is exactly what you need when the weather turns cold.

What Makes This French Onion Soup Special

I've whipped up this soup countless times and it always hits the spot. There's something magical about onions that cook down slowly until they're melt-in-your-mouth tender. When crusty bread soaks up that flavorful broth under a blanket of bubbling cheese, it's pure comfort food. And don't worry - you can tweak it to fit your diet without losing what makes it so good.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • 4 pounds yellow onions: Cut them into thin slices so they'll break down into sweet goodness.
  • 3 tablespoons butter: This helps the onions turn golden and delicious.
  • 4 cloves garlic: Chop them up fresh for the best flavor punch.
  • 3 tablespoons flour: This thickens your broth just enough.
  • ½ cup dry white wine: Whatever's in your glass will work just fine.
  • 6 cups beef or veggie stock: Either option tastes amazing, so pick what you like.
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce: It adds that mystery flavor you can't quite put your finger on.
  • 1 bay leaf and fresh thyme: Don't skip these fresh herbs - they make all the difference.
  • Baguette: Look for one with a nice crust for the best results.
  • Cheese: While Gruyere is classic, any cheese that melts well can do the job.
Four white ramekins filled with French onion soup topped with melted cheese and garnished with thyme, accompanied by slices of bread. Pin it
Four white ramekins filled with French onion soup topped with melted cheese and garnished with thyme, accompanied by slices of bread. | tasteofmoms.com

Preparing Your French Onion Soup

Starting The Base
Melt your butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add your sliced onions and let them cook slowly for about 30 minutes until they turn golden and sweet. Mix in garlic, sprinkle in flour, then pour in wine to scrape up all those tasty bits stuck to the bottom.
Building The Broth
Add your stock, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and thyme. Let everything simmer together for 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and thyme stems, then add salt and pepper until it tastes just right.
Prepping The Bread
Turn your oven to 400°F and toast your baguette slices until they're crisp and golden.
Finishing Touch
Switch your oven to broil, ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, place your toasted bread on top, and cover with plenty of cheese. Broil for 2-4 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns slightly golden.

Tips For The Best Results

Looking to make this soup your own? Go for veggie stock if you don't eat meat, or use gluten-free bread if needed. Sometimes I like to add an egg on top before broiling for extra richness. Just keep an eye on that cheese - it can turn from golden to burnt in just a moment!

What To Serve With It

This soup tastes amazing with a light green salad or next to a simple roasted chicken dish. Pour yourself some chilled white wine or a French rosé, and you'll feel like you're dining in a little Parisian bistro without leaving home.

A bowl of French onion soup topped with melted cheese and a sprig of thyme, accompanied by slices of toasted bread. Pin it
A bowl of French onion soup topped with melted cheese and a sprig of thyme, accompanied by slices of toasted bread. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why won't my onions turn golden?

It takes time and patience, so stick with it. Cook on medium, keep stirring, and give it a solid 30 minutes. You're aiming for golden, not burnt!

→ What's the best cheese option?

Gruyere is a classic, but you can swap it with Swiss, Asiago, or Mozzarella. Look for cheese that melts well and tastes rich.

→ Can I prep it ahead?

Totally! The soup base keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Just heat it up and add the bread and cheese when you're ready to dig in.

→ Why use wine for deglazing?

Wine adds depth and boosts flavor while helping lift all those tasty bits from the bottom of the pan. Those bits make your soup extra delicious.

→ Can I make this meat-free?

Absolutely! Switch out the beef broth for veggie stock, and double-check that your Worcestershire sauce is vegetarian-friendly.

French Onion Soup

Cozy up with this onion soup packed with sweet onions, savory broth, crusty bread, and bubbling cheese on top.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
50 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 1 pot

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 Thinly slice 4 pounds of yellow onions after peeling.
02 3 tablespoons of butter.
03 Finely mince 4 garlic cloves.
04 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
05 Half a cup of dry white wine.
06 6 cups of beef broth.
07 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
08 1 bay leaf.
09 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
10 Add salt and black pepper as needed.
11 Baguette to use as a topping.
12 A mix of cheeses like Gruyere, Asiago, Swiss, or mozzarella.

Instructions

Step 01

In a big stockpot, warm the butter over medium heat.

Step 02

Toss in onions and stir occasionally for 30 minutes until deeply golden.

Step 03

Stir in the minced garlic and cook around 2 minutes.

Step 04

Mix the flour into the pot and let it cook briefly, about a minute.

Step 05

Pour in the wine and scrape the pot to release any stuck-on bits.

Step 06

Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf to the pot.

Step 07

Let the soup come to a gentle boil, lower the heat, cover the pot, and cook for 10 minutes.

Step 08

Pull out the thyme sprigs and bay leaf.

Step 09

Taste and adjust the salt and pepper levels until you're happy.

Step 10

Set the oven to 400°F and let it heat up.

Step 11

Lay out slices of baguette and bake them for 6-8 minutes to crisp them up.

Step 12

Switch on the broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with bread, add cheese, and broil for 2-4 minutes till cheese is bubbly and golden.

Notes

  1. Use bowls safe for the oven when broiling.
  2. Vegetable broth works just fine instead of beef.
  3. Near the end of caramelizing, keep stirring the onions more often.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large pot for cooking the soup.
  • Bowls that can go into the oven.
  • A baking tray or sheet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, butter).
  • Includes wheat from the bread and flour.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 275
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 8 g