Cozy up with a warm, cheesy bowl of classic French Onion Soup. This version is made in the traditional way by cooking down and caramelizing fresh onions until they are a deep golden brown, then deglazing the pan with wine before letting all those flavors simmer together. Top off each bowl of soup with a thick piece of French bread and some melty cheese for a deeply flavorful, savory meal you'll crave all winter long.
Traditional French Onion Soup is a classic for a reason. It's surprisingly easy to make, but it has a rich, savory flavor that tastes like you've been cooking all day. The molten gruyere cheese takes the entire dish to the next level with a creamy, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet onions. It's simple enough for a cozy night in yet fancy enough for a dinner party or special gathering.
Why You'll Love This French Onion Soup
- Hearty, rich flavor. This is one of our all-time favorite soups because it's so rich and savory. The secret to this homemade French onion soup recipe is to deglaze the pan after caramelizing the onions with a little white wine. This will rehydrate those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot and add a slightly sweet note from the cooked-down wine.
- So simple to make. This easy French onion soup recipe is a reminder that simple recipes don't have to be bland or boring. This is a very simple soup to make, yet it has absolutely fabulous flavor.
- Ultimate comfort food. Is there anything better than a bowl of French onion soup with cheesy bread slices that soak up that savory beef broth? Every part of this dish is cozy, from the warm bowl to the rich broth and the gooey cheese topping. It's such a treat!
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious French Onion soup recipe, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- butter - start by melting the butter in the bottom of the pan to saute the onions for this classic French onion soup recipe.
- onion - thinly slice yellow onions so they'll cook down into thin strands.
- wine - choose a sherry wine or dry white wine to deglaze the pan. This will add extra depth of flavor, so don't skip this step!
- flour - all purpose flour will thicken the broth just slightly.
- beef broth - it's classic to use beef stock for its rich, meaty flavor. Use storebought stock or make your own. Try our Slow Cooker Bone Broth or even Asian Beef Broth.
- fresh thyme - finely chop fresh thyme sprigs to sprinkle on top of the cheese as a garnish.
- salt and pepper
- french bread - you'll need 6 slices of French bread about ½ inch thick. Use a serrated knife to cut the bread slices smoothly.
- gruyère cheese - grate this buttery Swiss cheese to add on top of the soup.
You will also need a large pot, oven-proof bowls, ladle, and baking sheet.
How to Make the Best French Onion Soup
- Sauté onions. Melt butter in a large pot or 4 quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat and melt until it starts to bubble, about 1 minute. Add onion and sauté until tender and golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.
- Deglaze. Add wine and stir well to deglaze the pot.
- Thicken. Stir in flour and mix well until evenly combined and thickened, about 1 minute.
- Add broth and simmer. Add beef broth and thyme. Mix well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide soup. Preheat broiler on Hi for 5 minutes. Ladle soup into individual oven-safe serving bowls and place the serving bowls on a large baking sheet (you may have to do this in batches).
- Add toppings. On each bowl, add a slice of bread on top and sprinkle with ¼ cup of cheese.
- Broil. Transfer the baking sheet into the oven and broil until the melted cheese turns golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Serve. Garnish with some chopped thyme and serve warm.
Recipe Variations
- Slow cooker French onion soup. After caramelizing the onions and deglazing the pan, add everything to a slow cooker and continue the recipe. Let the soup slow cook on high for 3-4 hours and serve with cheesy toast.
- Vegetarian French onion soup. This dish is traditionally made with beef stock, but you can use vegetable broth instead. To get that rich, savory flavor, add a teaspoon or two of vegan Worcestershire sauce.
- Gluten-free French onion soup. Skip the flour and use half as much cornstarch. Slice your favorite gluten-free breads to serve on top.
- Adjust the seasonings. There are so many little ways to tweak or adapt this recipe to suit your preferences. Add a bay leaf or two, deglaze with red wine, balsamic vinegar, or brandy, or add a little parmesan cheese to the gruyere for a salty, umami flavor. You can even saute some sliced garlic for a stronger flavor. Make it your own!
How to Serve
This French Onion Soup is delicious served on its own, or paired with some of my favorite recipes including:
- Caramelized Onion Dip
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta
- Prime Rib Roast
- Beef Stroganoff
- Caesar Salad
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use the right onions. For best results, use yellow onions, which are slightly sweet. White onions work in a pinch, but red onions are not a great fit.
- Use a mandolin. Instead of slicing your onions with a knife, speed up the process and get a more consistent result using a mandoline slicer. If you don't have one, use the slicer attachment for your food processor.
- Scale up. Make a double batch to feed a crowd. Just use a large Dutch oven and don't rush the caramelization process, as those sweet caramelized onions add so much flavor to this classic soup.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store leftover French onion soup in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for 3-4 days. Store the bread and cheese separately to keep them from becoming soggy.
How to Reheat
Heat up some of this easy onion soup in a small saucepan over medium-low heat before topping it with freshly toasted bread and cheese.
How to Freeze
Freeze chilled leftover soup in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQ
The authentic French onion soup recipe uses very simple ingredients: butter, onions, flour, white wine, flour, beef broth, and salt and pepper. There are many different variations, so you may find some substitutions here and there, but this great recipe is a classic. Top it all off with toasted bread and some bubbly cheese, and it's ready to serve!
Although French onion soup doesn't contain meat exactly, it is traditionally made with beef broth for a really rich, savory flavor.
Because this classic French soup has so few ingredients, you really have to follow each step properly to get the best flavor. Fully caramelize the onions to release their flavors, use high-quality beef stock, and season the broth to taste using salt. If you skip any of these steps, your soup may taste overly watery and bland. Be patient; it's worth the wait to make it the right way.
More Soup Recipes
- 60 Best Soup Recipes
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Minestrone Soup
- Cheesy Potato Soup
- Beef Wild Rice Soup
- Vegetable Soup
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