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Classic French Onion Soup Recipe

Classic French Onion Soup Recipe
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Warm, comforting, and rich in flavor — this Classic French Onion Soup is made with deeply caramelized onions, savory broth, and toasted cheesy baguette slices. It tastes just like the version you’d enjoy at a French bistro — but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home! You can also make it vegetarian by swapping beef broth for vegetable broth and alcohol-free by replacing the wine with more broth.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 4 tbsp butter (unsalted or salted)

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 3 lbs yellow or sweet onions, peeled, halved & thinly sliced

  • ¾ tsp salt + more to taste

  • ¼ tsp black pepper + more to taste

  • ¾ cup dry white wine (or extra broth)

  • 1 tbsp dry sherry (or 1 tsp cider vinegar)

  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 8 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 2 fresh thyme sprigs (or ½ tsp dried thyme)

  • ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 small baguette, sliced ½-inch thick

  • 6 oz Gruyère cheese, grated (or Fontina / Mozzarella)

  • Optional: Extra fresh thyme or chives for garnish

Instructions

1️⃣ Caramelize Onions

  • Melt butter with olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

  • Add onions, salt and pepper. Cook uncovered 45–55 minutes, stirring often, until onions are soft and deep golden brown.

  • If onions stick or brown too fast: lower heat and add a splash of water to deglaze.

2️⃣ Build Flavor

  • Add wine and sherry. Increase heat and boil until almost evaporated (about 5–6 minutes).

  • Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly for 1 minute.

3️⃣ Simmer Soup

  • Slowly pour in 1 cup broth while stirring.

  • Add remaining broth, bay leaf, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce.

  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Remove bay leaf and thyme stems.

  • Taste and adjust seasoning.

4️⃣ Toast Bread

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

  • Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and bake 8–10 minutes until crisp and lightly golden.

5️⃣ Broil with Cheese

  • Place heat-proof bowls on a baking tray.

  • Ladle hot soup into bowls, top with toasted bread, and sprinkle generously with cheese.

  • Broil until bubbly and golden (watch closely!).

✔ If you do not have oven-safe bowls: broil the cheese on the bread separately and place on top before serving.

Notes

  • Slice onions evenly so they caramelize at the same rate.

  • Cook onions low and slow for deep flavor — don’t rush this step!

  • Use Gruyère if possible — it melts beautifully with a nutty taste.

  • Add more salt and acidity (vinegar or wine) if flavors taste flat.

  • To make gluten-free: use GF flour or cornstarch and GF baguette.

Find it online: https://tastyquickly.com/classic-french-onion-soup-recipe/