Irresistible Easy French Onion Soup Recipe

Introduction

French onion soup is a classic comfort dish, rich with sweet caramelized onions and topped with melted cheese-crisped bread. This easy recipe brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen in under an hour.

Ingredients

• 4 medium yellow onions (can substitute with shallots or red onions)
• 4 cups beef broth (can substitute with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
• 1/2 cup white wine (replace with extra broth if desired)
• 2 tablespoons butter (olive oil is a dairy-free alternative)
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese (melts beautifully; mozzarella or provolone can be substituted)
• 4 slices bread (gluten-free options are available)
• Fresh herbs (e.g., thyme, adjust according to taste)
• Additional veggies such as chopped carrots or celery (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and stir frequently, cooking until they are golden brown and deeply caramelized, about 30–40 minutes.
2. Step 2: Pour a splash of white wine into the pot to deglaze, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom.
3. Step 3: Add the beef broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 15–20 minutes to develop flavor.
4. Step 4: While the soup simmers, toast the bread slices until golden and crispy.
5. Step 5: Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted bread and a generous layer of Gruyère cheese.
6. Step 6: Place the bowls under the broiler until the cheese melts, becomes bubbly, and turns a golden brown.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and substitute butter with olive oil.
• Add chopped carrots or celery with the onions for extra flavor and texture.
• Try different cheeses like mozzarella or provolone if Gruyère isn’t available.
• Use fresh thyme or your favorite herbs to enhance the soup’s aroma.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. To enjoy the cheesy topping again, add fresh bread and cheese, then broil just before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes, the soup can be made a day in advance and reheated before serving. Add the bread and cheese topping just before serving to keep it crispy and melty.

What if I don’t have a broiler?

You can also melt the cheese by placing the bowls in a hot oven (around 375°F or 190°C) until bubbly, though it may take a bit longer than broiling.

Irresistible Easy French Onion Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 66 reviews

This irresistible easy French onion soup recipe features golden caramelized onions simmered in flavorful beef broth with a splash of white wine, topped with toasted bread and bubbling Gruyère cheese. Perfect for a comforting appetizer or light meal, this classic French dish is simple to make yet deeply satisfying.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soup Ingredients

• 4 medium Yellow Onions (can substitute with shallots or red onions)
• 4 cups Beef Broth (can substitute with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
• 1/2 cup White Wine (replace with extra broth if desired)
• 2 tablespoons Butter (olive oil is a dairy-free alternative)
• Fresh Herbs (e.g., thyme, adjust according to taste)
• Additional Veggies (optional: chopped carrots or celery)

Topping Ingredients

• 4 slices Bread (gluten-free options are available)
• 1 cup Gruyère Cheese (can substitute mozzarella or provolone)

Instructions

1. Caramelize Onions: Melt butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and stir frequently, cooking until they turn golden brown and caramelized, approximately 30-40 minutes. This slow cooking develops the deep sweet flavor characteristic of the soup.
2. Deglaze with Wine: Pour a splash of white wine into the pot with the caramelized onions. Use a spatula to scrape up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot, mixing them into the onions for added depth.
3. Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth and add fresh herbs if using. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes to meld the flavors.
4. Toast Bread: While the soup simmers, toast the bread slices in a toaster or oven until golden and crispy. This will provide a sturdy base for the cheese topping.
5. Assemble Bowls and Add Cheese: Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a slice of toasted bread on top of each serving, then generously sprinkle with Gruyère cheese.
6. Broil to Melt Cheese: Place the bowls under the oven broiler until the cheese melts, becomes bubbly, and turns golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
7. Serve Immediately: Carefully remove the hot bowls from the oven and serve the soup immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• You can substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth to make a vegetarian version.
• Olive oil can be used instead of butter for a dairy-free alternative.
• Any sturdy bread works well; gluten-free bread is a great option for gluten-sensitive diets.
• Fresh thyme or other herbs add nice aroma but can be omitted if unavailable.
• Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste during cooking.
• Be patient caramelizing onions for the best flavor; rushing this step will compromise the dish quality.

Keywords: French onion soup, caramelized onion soup, easy French soup, cozy autumn soup, comfort food, classic French recipe