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French onion soup is a classic for a reason. Learn how to make restaurant quality French onion soup using onions, beef broth, toasted bread and melty cheese.
I love simple soup recipes and this French onion soup delivers. It’s the definition of comfort food with caramelized onion, toasted bread and melting cheese! You only need a handful of ingredients to make this classic French recipe at home. Turn it into a French feast with a crudites platter and finish off with French apple cake!
Table of Contents
All About French Onion Soup
Onions were widely available in France and this dish was considered a peasant food. Through time and years, this recipe has evolved and made into what it is today.
It’s common to use beef broth in this recipe, but some use chicken stock or just water. Some also add wine or brandy to the soup, but it’s not mandatory.
What Is French Onion Soup Made Of?
- Onions: Yellow onions work best for this recipe. It’s important to thinly slice the onion, but not too thin that they melt while caramelizing.
- Olive oil and butter: You can use vegetable or avocado oil as well. Butter adds such rich flavor to the soup so it’s best not to skip it.
- Flour: To slightly thicken the soup, it’s an optional ingredient but it elevates the consistency.
- Stock: Classic French onion soup uses beef stock, which you can make from scratch or use homemade.
- Baguette: Day old baguette works just fine, you need to top the baguette with cheese and broil in the oven.
- Gruyere cheese: Shredded gruyere is what gives the soup its signature melting top look. It’s possible to use Comte or Emmental if desired.
How To Make French Onion Soup
- Cook the onion: Pour the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add in the butter and stir it until it melts. Add the thinly sliced onion to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is caramelized and tender.
- Add the flour: Once the onion is golden and caramelized, add the flour and stir to combine. Cook for a minute or two until no lumps are left.
- Deglaze: Pour in ½ cup beef stock and stir to deglaze the pot.
- Cook: Add the salt and rest of the beef stock and bring the soup to a simmer. Increase the heat to medium and cook uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes until it’s reduced in half.
- Toppings: Divide the soup between a few oven safe crocks, bowls or ramekins. Top with sliced baguette and shredded gruyere.
- Broil: Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and broil for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted.
Tips To Make The Best French Onion Soup
- Be patient: The key to the perfect French onion soup is patience. The onions need to cook for quite some time to become tender, sweet and caramelized and this is a process that cannot be rushed.
- Quality beef broth: What gives this soup all the flavor aside from the caramelized onion is the beef broth. Make sure you’re using a delicious beef broth that you like. If the flavor is not enough, add a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce.
- The onions: Slice the onion thinly, but not too thin as they would turn strongly or melt into the soup.
What To Serve With French Onion Soup
You can serve this classic onion soup with some salad such as nicoise salad, beet salad or strawberry salad with goat cheese. If serving this soup as an appetizer, choose a nice main dish such as roasted chicken, lamb chops or a nice grilled steak.
Leftovers
Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in a saucepan or a pot over medium heat. It’s best to toast the bread and melt the cheese fresh.
You can freeze French onion soup as well. Let it cool completely and transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can place a few slices of baguette on a baking sheet and top them with cheese. Broil (or bake) in the oven until the cheese is melted. Serve the soup in bowls and top with the toasted bread.
You can prepare the soup up to a day in advance, then reheat and serve it with a toasted cheesy baguette right before serving.
If opting for a vegetarian version, yes, you can use vegetable stock. Keep in mind that the flavor might be slightly different.
Although gruyere is the classic cheese for French onion soup, it’s possible for you to use other types of cheese such as Comte, Emmental, gouda, fontina or Swiss.
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Easy French Onion Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter
- 8 large onion, sliced
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour
- 8 cups stock, chicken or beef
- 1 tsp kosher salt
To Top:
- 4 baguette slices
- 1 cup gruyere, shredded
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or a Dutch oven. Add the butter and let it melt.
- Add in the onion and give it a stir. Cook over medium heat for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is caramelized.
- Add in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in 1/2 cup beef stock and stir to deglaze the pot.
- Season with salt and add the rest of the beef stock. Turn the heat to medium high and bring the soup to a simmer. Cook for 35 to 45 minutes until it's reduced in half.
- Divide the soup between 4 oven-safe crocks, bowls or ramekins. Top with the baguette slices and shredded gruyere.
- Broil for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- If not using ramekins: you can place a few slices of baguette on a baking sheet and top them with cheese. Broil (or bake) in the oven until the cheese is melted. Serve the soup in bowls and top with the toasted bread.
- You can use vegetable stock instead of beef stock for vegetarian French onion soup.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can also freeze this soup for up to 3 months.
- Instead of gruyere, you can use Comte, Emmental or gouda.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
French onion soup is one of my favorites! 🙂 I have never tried making it at home before though.
The flavors are rich and the onions are perfectly caramelized. It’s quick and simple to make, and it’s the perfect comforting meal for a cozy night in.
This homemade French onion soup looks hearty, comforting and delicious. I can’t wait to make it.
yum! this was so fragrant and cozy. I loved dipping extra bread into the delicious broth
This was so so cozy! Such great rich flavors in this soup and it was super easy to make. Thanks so much!
What brand are the crocks you are using. Can they be ordered online
Mine are from Homegoods but you can sure order online.
Well, it is officially the easiest onion soup I have seen to date. Thanks a lot for sharing it!
I love how easy this recipe is! I have made French onion soup recipes in the past that were just too involved. This was perfectly simple AND delicious.
When I was a kid my mom would take me to TGI Fridays and I would always order the french onion soup. I have never made it at home before, but it was so easy and delicious!!
Super simple and extremely flavorful, I can’t believe I never made French onion soup at home before. Definitely doing this again!