Description
Classic French Onion Soup is a warm and comforting dish featuring caramelized onions simmered in rich beef broth, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or a satisfying main course for chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 medium yellow onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Soup Topping
- 8 slices French baguette
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 slices Gruyère cheese or provolone
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring every 3 to 5 minutes, until onions are caramelized and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
- Add Butter and Garlic: Stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until butter melts and garlic is fragrant.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in 8 cups beef broth and 1/4 cup dry sherry (if using). Season with 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Toast Baguette Slices: Preheat broiler with a rack 8 inches from the heat source. Brush both sides of baguette slices with olive oil. Arrange on a baking sheet and broil for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Assemble Soup Bowls: Preheat the broiler again if needed. Place 4 oven-safe bowls on a baking sheet. Ladle soup into each bowl, top each with 2 slices of toasted baguette. Add 1 slice of Gruyère and 1/2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese to each bowl.
- Broil Cheese Topping: Place the baking sheet with bowls under the broiler. Broil for 3 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and starting to brown, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve immediately while cheese is melted and bubbly for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth and use vegetarian-friendly cheese.
- If dry sherry is unavailable, you may omit or substitute with white wine for similar flavor.
- Caramelizing onions slowly enhances sweetness; do not rush this step for best results.
- Use oven-safe bowls when broiling the soup with cheese to avoid cracking.
- Watch the broiler closely to prevent burning the bread and cheese toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
