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Authentic French Onion Soup


  • Author: Mia McKenny
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Caramelized onions. Melty Gruyère. A crusty slice of toasted baguette soaking up deeply savory broth. Authentic French Onion Soup is what cozy café dreams are made of. This timeless dish layers bold, umami-rich flavor with luxurious textures that make every spoonful feel indulgent.


Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

5 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

1/2 cup dry white wine

6 cups beef broth

3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

1 French baguette, sliced into 1-inch rounds

2 cups grated Gruyère cheese


Instructions

1. In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 45–50 minutes until deeply caramelized and golden brown.

2. Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer for 3–4 minutes.

3. Add the beef broth, thyme sprigs, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes.

4. While the soup simmers, toast the baguette slices on a baking sheet at 375°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

5. Preheat broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top with a slice of toasted baguette and 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese.

6. Broil 2–4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve immediately.

Notes

Take your time with caramelizing the onions—low and slow brings out the sweetness.

Use oven-safe bowls for the best broiled cheese topping.

For a vegetarian version, swap beef broth for rich vegetable or mushroom broth.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Category: Soups
  • Method: Stovetop + Broiler
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 490
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 970mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 17g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: authentic french onion soup, caramelized onion soup, classic french soup