French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup is a timeless and comforting dish that exudes warmth and rich flavors. The success of this recipe hinges on the slow caramelization of a generous amount of red or yellow onions in a combination of extra virgin olive oil and butter. As the onions soften and brown, a teaspoon of sugar enhances the caramelization process, creating a deep, sweet undertone. The addition of minced garlic adds another layer of aromatic complexity.

The magic continues as the pot is deglazed with dry vermouth or white wine, lifting the flavorful browned bits from the bottom and sides. The stock, whether beef, chicken, or a mix of both, joins the ensemble along with bay leaves and thyme, infusing the soup with a savory essence. A touch of brandy, if desired, further elevates the taste.

The crowning glory of this French Onion Soup is the cheesy toast. Slices of French bread or baguette, brushed with olive oil, are toasted to a golden brown before being adorned with a decadent layer of melted Gruyere and Parmesan. The final assembly involves ladling the simmering soup into bowls and crowning each serving with the cheese-laden toast. The result is a symphony of textures and flavors — the silky soup with its robust onion base, complemented by the crusty, cheesy perfection of the toast.

With each spoonful, you experience the sweet and savory dance of caramelized onions, the comforting warmth of the broth, and the delightful crunch of the cheesy bread. French Onion Soup stands as a testament to the art of slow cooking and the exquisite balance of simple yet high-quality ingredients, making it a cherished classic that satisfies the soul on chilly evenings and provides a taste of culinary elegance.

French Onion Soup

PREP TIME20 mins

COOK TIME60 mins

TOTAL TIME80 mins

SERVINGS4 to 6 servings

Much of the success of this soup depends on the stock that you are using, and stock varies tremendously in its taste. Depending on your stock, you may need to bump up the flavor with some beef bouillon (we recommend Better Than Bouillon brand).

Ingredients

• 6 large red or yellow onions (about 3 pounds)
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Kosher salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups beef stock, chicken stock, or a combination of the two
• 1/2 cup dry vermouth or dry white wine
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, a few sprigs of fresh thyme, OR 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
• 8 slices (1 inch thick) French bread or baguette
• 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese
• Sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese

Method

1. Peel and slice the onions:Peel and thinly slice the onions from root to stem. There should be about 10 cups of sliced onions in total.
2. Begin caramelizing the onions with olive oil and butter:In a 5 to 6 quart thick-bottomed pot, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Add the onions and toss to coat with the olive oil.Cook the onions, stirring often, until they have softened, about 15 to 20 minutes.Increase the heat to medium high. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the butter and cook, stirring often, until the onions start to brown, about 20 to 40 minutes. The amount of time will vary depending on your pot, stove, and onions.
3. Sprinkle with the sugar, finish caramelizing, and add garlic:Sprinkle with sugar (to help with the caramelization) and 1 teaspoon of salt. Continue to cook until the onions are well browned, about 10 to 15 more minutes.Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute more.
4. Deglaze the pot with vermouth or wine:Add the wine or vermouth to the pot and scrape up the browned bits on the bottom and sides of the pot, deglazing the pot as you go.
5. Add the stock, bay leaves, and thyme:Add the stock, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot and lower the heat to maintain a low simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes.
6. Season and add the brandy:Season to taste with more salt and add freshly ground black pepper. Discard the bay leaves. Add brandy if using.
7. Toast the French bread slices:While the soup is simmering, line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil and preheat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the upper third of the oven.Brush both sides of the French bread or baguette slices lightly with olive oil (you’ll end up using about a tablespoon and a half of olive oil for this).Put in the oven and toast until lightly browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven.Turn the toasts over and sprinkle with the grated Gruyere cheese and Parmesan. Return to oven when it’s close to serving time and bake until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
8. Serve:To serve, ladle soup into a bowl and transfer one cheesy toast onto the top of each bowl of soup.Alternatively, you can use individual oven-proof bowls or one large casserole dish. Ladle the soup into the bowls or casserole dish. Cover with the toast and sprinkle with cheese. Put into the broiler for 10 minutes at 350° F, or until the cheese bubbles and is slightly browned.Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

• COMFORT FOOD
• FALL SOUPS
• ONIONS
• FRENCH