Description
Savor pure comfort with this classic French Onion Soup, where caramelized onions simmer in rich beef broth and silky cheese melts over crusty bread. Hearty and soul-warming, this dish transports diners straight to a cozy Parisian bistro with each deeply flavored spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
main ingredients:
- 4 large onions
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
cheese and bread topping:
- 4 slices french bread
- 2 cups gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
seasonings and extras:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice onions into thin, uniform half-moons to ensure even caramelization.
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat until butter melts completely.
- Add sliced onions to the pot, stirring to coat with fat and spread evenly across the surface.
- Slowly caramelize onions for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and achieve a deep golden-brown color.
- Mince garlic and add to the caramelized onions, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture, stirring to coat and create a light roux that will help thicken the soup.
- Pour in white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Add beef broth, dried thyme, and bay leaf to the pot, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat and let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Preheat broiler and prepare oven-safe soup bowls.
- Remove bay leaf from the soup and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Ladle hot soup into individual bowls, leaving some room at the top.
- Top each bowl with a slice of french bread, then generously sprinkle with gruyère and parmesan cheese.
- Place bowls under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Carefully remove from broiler and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Slice onions uniformly to guarantee consistent caramelization, preventing uneven cooking and burnt edges.
- Use low and slow heat when caramelizing onions, allowing natural sugars to develop deep, rich flavor without scorching.
- Consider substituting beef broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version that maintains robust taste complexity.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like comté or swiss for unique flavor profiles while maintaining traditional French onion soup essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 65-75 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg