Cozy up with a bowl of my classic French Onion Soup, topped with melted Gruyère – pure comfort in a bowl! This recipe is a heartwarming favorite, perfect for a chilly day or any time you crave a rich, flavorful soup.
Ingredients:
- 6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
- 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Directions:
- Caramelize Onions: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are caramelized and golden brown, about 40 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
- Add Broth and Herbs: Add the beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Preheat Broiler: Preheat the oven broiler.
- Prepare Soup Bowls: Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted baguette and a generous amount of grated Gruyère cheese.
- Broil: Place the bowls under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and serve immediately.
Helpful Tips:
- Caramelizing Onions: Take your time to caramelize the onions properly. This step is crucial for developing the rich, sweet flavor of the soup.
- Broth Quality: Use a high-quality beef broth for the best flavor. Homemade or low-sodium store-bought options are ideal.
- Cheese Substitution: If you can’t find Gruyère cheese, you can use Swiss cheese or another good melting cheese like Comté or Emmental.
Serving Suggestions:
- Pair with a Salad: Serve the French onion soup with a simple green salad for a complete meal.
- Wine Pairing: A dry white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc, pairs well with this soup.
- Crusty Bread: Additional slices of crusty bread are perfect for dipping into the soup.
FAQs:
- Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, French onion soup can be made ahead of time. Prepare the soup up to the point before broiling. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat the soup, assemble with bread and cheese, and broil. - Can I freeze French onion soup?
Yes, the soup (without the bread and cheese topping) can be frozen. Let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating and adding the toppings. - What can I use instead of white wine?
If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with an equal amount of beef broth.
Servings and Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 300 kcal per serving
- Servings: 6 servings
Enjoy this warm, comforting bowl of classic French onion soup!
Recipe Card
Classic French Onion Soup
Cozy up with a bowl of my classic French Onion Soup, topped with melted Gruyère – pure comfort in a bowl! This recipe is a heartwarming favorite, perfect for a chilly day or any time you crave a rich, flavorful soup.
Ingredients
- – 6 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- – 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- – 2 cloves of garlic minced
- – 8 cups beef broth
- – 1/2 cup dry white wine
- – 2 bay leaves
- – 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- – Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- – 1 baguette sliced and toasted
- – 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- **Caramelize Onions:** Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are caramelized and golden brown, about 40 minutes.
- **Add Garlic:** Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- **Deglaze with Wine:** Pour in the dry white wine and scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
- **Add Broth and Herbs:** Add the beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- **Simmer:** Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- **Preheat Broiler:** Preheat the oven broiler.
- **Prepare Soup Bowls:** Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted baguette and a generous amount of grated Gruyère cheese.
- **Broil:** Place the bowls under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- **Serve:** Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and serve immediately.