A classic, comforting dish, this Simple French onion soup combines the deep flavors of caramelized onions, rich broth, crusty bread, and gooey melted Gruyère cheese. Perfect for a cozy evening or when you’re in the mood for something hearty yet elegant.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s a comforting classic with deep, rich flavors.
Perfect for impressing guests with a restaurant-style presentation.
Easily customizable with different broths or cheeses.
Made with simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
Ideal for chilly days or as an appetizer for a French-inspired meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
6 cups beef or vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 baguette, sliced into rounds
1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Directions
Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and let them cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until softened.
Sprinkle the onions with sugar and continue cooking for 20-25 minutes, stirring often, until they become golden brown and caramelized. Adjust the heat to prevent burning.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute. If using wine, pour it in and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer until mostly evaporated.
Add the broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat to let it simmer for 20-30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Preheat the broiler. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them under the broiler until golden on both sides.
Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a toasted baguette slice on top of each bowl, then generously sprinkle with Gruyère cheese.
Place the bowls under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 75 minutes
Variations
Cheese Swap: Use Emmental, Comté, or even mozzarella instead of Gruyère for a different flavor.
Gluten-Free: Substitute the baguette with gluten-free bread.
Vegetarian: Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Alcohol-Free: Skip the wine and use a splash of apple cider vinegar for a slight tang.
Herbs: Experiment with rosemary or parsley in place of thyme for a unique flavor twist.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the bread and cheese separate.
Reheating: Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Toast fresh baguette slices and add the cheese just before serving.
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FAQs
Can I make French onion soup ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the soup base ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat and add the bread and cheese before serving.
What type of onions work best for this soup?
Yellow onions are ideal for their balance of sweetness and flavor, but white or red onions can also be used.
Can I freeze French onion soup?
Yes, the soup base freezes well. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
What can I use instead of Gruyère cheese?
Emmental, Comté, or Swiss cheese are excellent substitutes for Gruyère.
Do I need oven-safe bowls?
For the classic presentation, oven-safe bowls are ideal, but you can toast the bread with cheese separately and add it to regular bowls if needed.
Conclusion
This simple French onion soup is the ultimate comfort food, with its rich caramelized onions, savory broth, and irresistible cheesy topping. Whether for a dinner party or a quiet evening, this recipe is sure to impress. Adjust the flavors to suit your taste, and enjoy every warm, gooey bite.
📖 Recipe:
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Simple French Onion Soup
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Simple French Onion Soup is a comforting classic made with caramelized onions, rich broth, crusty bread, and melted Gruyère cheese. Perfect for cozy evenings or as an elegant appetizer, this recipe is sure to impress and satisfy.
Ingredients
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
6 cups beef or vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 baguette, sliced into rounds
1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 10–15 minutes until softened.
- Sprinkle onions with sugar and caramelize for 20–25 minutes, stirring often. Adjust heat as needed.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Deglaze with wine, if using, and simmer until mostly evaporated.
- Stir in broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Simmer for 20–30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat broiler. Toast baguette slices until golden.
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top with baguette and cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth.
Gluten-free bread works perfectly for a gluten-free alternative.
Store the soup base separately from bread and cheese for best results when reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop and Broiler
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 320 kcal
