The Best Homemade French Onion Soup Recipe
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
This homemade French onion soup is cozy, comforting, and packed with rich, caramelized flavor. It’s easier to make than you might think, and the results are totally worth it.
- Deep, savory taste: Slowly caramelized onions create a sweet, umami-rich broth that’s pure comfort in a bowl.
- Simple ingredients: With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up this restaurant-quality soup at home.
- Perfect for sharing: Topped with melted cheese and crusty bread, it’s a crowd-pleaser every time.
Recipe
French Onion Soup is a classic comfort dish featuring caramelized onions in a rich beef broth, topped with toasted bread and melted cheese. This recipe delivers deep, savory flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients:
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
- 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, sugar, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions caramelize (about 30-40 minutes).
- Sprinkle flour over onions and stir for 1 minute.
- Add white wine, scraping any browned bits from the pot. Simmer until wine reduces by half.
- Pour in beef and chicken broth, then add bay leaf and thyme. Simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with toasted baguette slices, and cover with Gruyère.
- Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden (2-3 minutes). Serve hot.
Notes:
- For deeper flavor, use homemade beef broth.
- Caramelizing onions slowly guarantees sweetness without burning.
Equipment:
- Large pot
- Wooden spoon
- Oven-safe soup bowls
- Broiler
Time:
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cooking: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cuisine: French
Serving: 4
Nutrition
Nutrients in this soup are rich, particularly in vitamins and minerals from the onions and broth. The cheese and bread add extra calories and proteins.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Protein | 12g |
| Carbohydrates | 36g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Sodium | 980mg |
| Fiber | 3g |
What To Serve With It
I love serving my French onion soup with crusty bread, like a baguette or sourdough, to soak up all that rich broth. For toppings, I can’t resist melting cheese, whether it’s gooey Gruyère or sharp Swiss, over the top for extra flavor. It’s a simple combo that makes the soup feel even more cozy and satisfying.
Crusty Bread Pairings
Nothing beats dipping a slice of warm, crusty bread into a bowl of rich French onion soup—it’s the perfect match. I love experimenting with different bread varieties to find the best complement. A classic baguette is my go-to, but sourdough or ciabatta also work wonders with their chewy texture and tangy flavor. For serving suggestions, I always toast the bread lightly to enhance its crunchiness, making it ideal for soaking up the soup. Sometimes, I’ll even rub a garlic clove on the toasted slice for an extra layer of flavor. Trust me, it’s a game-changer that elevates every bite!
Cheese Topping Options
When it comes to French onion soup, the cheese topping is just as important as the soup itself—it’s what gives the dish its signature gooey, golden finish. I love experimenting with cheese varieties like Gruyère, Emmental, or even a sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor. Each cheese melts differently, so I pay close attention to melting techniques, like broiling the soup until the cheese bubbles and turns golden brown. Sometimes, I even mix cheeses for extra complexity. The key is to cover the soup completely, so every spoonful is rich and cheesy. Trust me, it’s worth the effort!
