I rarely eat soup, but when it comes to French Onion soup, I am ready to dig in! I told my husband that I wanted to make this and he was all for it as he loves his French Onion soup.
Slow-caramelized Vidalia onions, a splash of Marsala, and a cap of bubbling Gruyere turn this easy soup recipe into pure comfort. Each spoonful delivers that deep, sweet-savory flavor French soup fans adore, yet the steps stay friendly for weeknight cooks.
Table of contents
French Onion Soup
Course: DinnerCuisine: FrenchDifficulty: Medium4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcal1
hour10
minutesClassic French onion soup made simple: golden onions simmered in beef broth, topped with toasted baguette and melty Gruyere.
Ingredients
4–5 Vidalia or yellow sweet onions, peeled & sliced
3 tbsp olive oil
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried thyme (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry Marsala or Sherry wine
8 cups beef broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 baguette, sliced & toasted
6 oz Gruyere cheese, sliced
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a heavy pot over medium. Add sliced onions and cook 30–40 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden.
- Add garlic; cook 1 minute.
- Sprinkle flour over onions; stir and cook 2 minutes.
- Slowly add beef broth, scraping up browned bits.
- Pour in wine, then add bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast baguette slices 8–10 minutes.
- Ladle soup into oven-safe crocks, top each with toasted bread and Gruyere.
- Bake 10 minutes, then broil 2–3 minutes until cheese is browned.
What You’ll Need
Gather these basics before you start simmering:
- 4–5 sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow)
- Olive oil
- Dry Marsala or Sherry wine
- Beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
- Gruyere cheese, sliced
- Baguette or store-bought toast rounds
- Bay leaves & dried thyme
- All-purpose flour
- Fresh garlic
- Salt & pepper
- Heavy pot or Dutch oven
- Oven-safe soup crocks
- Baking sheet
Detailed Cooking Instructions
Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Rich homemade French onion soup crowned with toasted baguette and melty Gruyere.
- Caramelize onions
Cook sliced onions in olive oil over medium heat, stirring often, until deep golden (30–40 min).
- Add garlic & flour
Stir in minced garlic for 1 min, then sprinkle flour and cook 2 min.
- Deglaze & simmer
Add broth, scrape pan, pour in wine, add herbs, salt, pepper; simmer 30 min.
- Toast bread
Preheat oven to 350°F and toast baguette slices 8–10 min.
- Assemble & bake
Fill crocks with soup, top with toast and Gruyere, bake 10 min, then broil until cheese bubbles.
Tips & Tricks
- Low-and-slow onions: Keep heat moderate so sugars caramelize instead of burning; patience builds that sweet depth classic French onion soup needs.
- No wine on hand? Use extra broth plus 1 tsp cider vinegar for brightness — handy for a French onion soup recipe without wine.
- Crock swap: If you lack oven-safe bowls, ladle soup into a casserole, blanket with toast and cheese, then broil until bubbly.
- Make ahead: Soup base freezes well; thaw overnight, reheat, then add fresh toast and cheese for quick and easy soup on busy nights.
- Secret ingredient boost: A dash of Worcestershire or soy sauce deepens umami, answering that “secret to good French onion soup” question.
You Might Also Like
- Onion Crusted Chicken Recipe
- Decadent French Toast Casserole with Apples and Raisins for Happy Mornings
- Fried Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwiches Recipe
- Easy Comforting Beef Stew Crock Pot Recipe
- Savory Beef Lettuce Wraps for a Delightful Meal
Frequently Asked Questions
Slowly caramelized onions create deep sweetness, while a quality beef broth and a final broil under Gruyere give the soup its rich finish.
Many cooks add a splash of dry Sherry or Marsala; that touch of fortified wine rounds out the savory flavors without overpowering the onions.
The classic list includes sweet onions, olive oil, beef broth, dry wine, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, toasted baguette, and Gruyere cheese.
Vidalia or other yellow sweet onions caramelize beautifully, giving the best French onion soup its signature mellow flavor.
Save This Recipe for Later
If this hearty bowl hits the spot, pin it now or print a copy so it’s ready for your next comfort-food craving.
Pin it here
