Easy French Onion Soup Recipe
This Easy French Onion Soup is a classic, comforting dish featuring caramelized onions simmered in rich beef broth, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a cozy meal, this recipe offers a simple yet deeply flavorful take on the traditional French favorite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Soup Base
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds (about 3) yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 whole bay leaf
Toppings
- 8 slices baguette
- 4 ounces (1 cup) grated Gruyere cheese
- 1 ounce (1/4 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh thyme for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil, thinly sliced onions, and granulated sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, lightly browned, and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Flour: Stir in the salt, pepper, and all-purpose flour. Cook the mixture for 1 minute while stirring continuously to remove the raw flour taste.
- Simmer the Soup: Gradually pour in the beef broth and add the bay leaf. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes to develop flavors.
- Toast the Baguette Slices: Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them under the oven broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until they are lightly browned and crisp.
- Assemble and Broil: Spoon the hot soup into 4 oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with two slices of toasted baguette. Sprinkle evenly with grated Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses. Place the bowls on a rimmed baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Serve: Remove from the oven carefully and garnish with fresh thyme if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- Be patient while caramelizing onions; this step is essential for developing the soup’s rich flavor.
- Use oven-safe bowls for broiling the cheese topping safely.
- Feel free to substitute Gruyere with Swiss or mozzarella cheese if needed.
- The soup can be made a day ahead; reheat gently on the stovetop before assembling and broiling.
Keywords: French onion soup, caramelized onion soup, easy French soup, classic French recipes, comforting soup, beef broth soup, Gruyere cheese soup
Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/easy-french-onion-soup-recipe/
