Description
A classic French Onion Soup recipe that reveals the secret to achieving perfect caramelized onions and rich flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 slices of French bread
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for about 15 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Sprinkle the sugar, salt, and pepper over the onions. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for another 30-40 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown.
- Add the white wine to the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Pour in the beef broth, add the thyme and bay leaf, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- While the soup is simmering, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the slices of French bread on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
- To serve, ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a slice of toasted bread on top of each bowl and sprinkle with Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
- Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for beef broth and use a mix of cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar.
- Add a splash of sherry or cognac for an extra depth of flavor before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg