Classic French Onion Soup Recipe

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups beef broth
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 baguette, sliced into 1-inch rounds
  • 2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions
  • Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add olive oil and butter.
  • Add the sliced onions, sugar, and salt. Stir regularly and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the onions are a deep golden brown. Reduce the heat as needed to prevent burning.
2. Prepare the Broth
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in the beef broth and add the thyme and bay leaf.
  • Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it simmer for 20-25 minutes.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
3. Toast the Baguette
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) while the soup is simmering.
  • Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until they are lightly golden.
4. Assemble and Broil
  • Preheat the broiler.
  • Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a toasted baguette slice on top of each bowl and generously sprinkle with Gruyère cheese.
  • Set the bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
5. Serve
  • Carefully remove the bowls from the oven. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutritional Information (per serving):

  • Calories: 480 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg
  • Sodium: 1200 mg
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Sugar: 8 g

This classic French Onion Soup is a warm, comforting dish that’s perfect for a cozy meal. The caramelized onions give the soup its rich, deep flavor, and the bubbly, melted Gruyère cheese topping adds the perfect finishing touch.