Description
French onion soup is rich, cheesy, and deeply flavorful. Learn how to make the best homemade version with caramelized onions and melty Gruyère.
Ingredients
- Butter & Vegetable Oil – Work together to caramelize the onions while preventing the butter from burning.
- Vidalia (or Sweet) Onions – Their natural sweetness intensifies when caramelized.
- Sugar – Speeds up caramelization and enhances the onions’ sweetness.
- Dry White Wine – Deglazes the pan, adding complexity to the flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour – Thickens the broth slightly for a richer consistency.
- Beef Broth – Provides a deep, savory base.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Boosts umami and adds depth.
- Dried Thyme & Bay Leaves – Infuse the soup with warm, earthy aromatics.
- Baguette – The perfect base for the cheesy crouton topping.
- Dry Sherry – Adds a nutty, slightly sweet finish.
- Gruyère Cheese – Melts beautifully for a creamy, nutty topping.
- Parmigiano Reggiano – Adds a sharp, nutty bite to the cheesy crust.
Instructions
Melt butter in a large pot, then add oil, onions, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn deep golden brown—this takes about 50 minutes.
Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let it cook until the liquid almost evaporates and the onions become jammy. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute.
Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the sherry at the end.
While the soup simmers, toast the baguette slices in the oven until golden and crispy.
Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with toasted baguette slices, and pile on the cheese. Broil until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, caramelize onions slowly over low heat.
- Use high-quality beef broth for the best taste.
- Gruyère is the classic cheese, but Swiss or provolone work too.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop & Broiler
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: French onion soup, caramelized onion soup, homemade French onion soup, best French onion soup, easy French onion soup, traditional French onion soup, beef broth onion soup, Gruyère cheese soup, classic onion soup, comforting soup recipe