French Onion Soup
French Onion Soup is a classic, hearty dish featuring caramelized onions simmered in a rich beef broth, topped with toasted bread and melted Gruyère cheese for a comforting and savory experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Total Time: 85 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Baguette slices, toasted
- 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions, sugar, and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring frequently, until onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 40 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir well to combine; cook for 2-3 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
- Slowly add the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add beef broth, bay leaf, and thyme; bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat the oven broiler. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, place toasted baguette slices on top, and sprinkle generously with Gruyère cheese.
- Place bowls under broiler until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
- Carefully remove from oven and serve hot.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth, and substitute Gruyère with a plant-based cheese if preferred.