Here’s a rich, classic French Onion Soup recipe with deeply caramelized onions, savory broth, and that signature melted cheese top.
🧅 French Onion Soup
🛒 Ingredients
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4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
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3 tablespoons butter
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 teaspoon sugar (optional, helps caramelize)
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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6 cups beef broth (good quality for best flavor)
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½ cup dry white wine (optional but recommended)
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 bay leaf
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½ teaspoon dried thyme (or a few sprigs fresh)
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Salt & black pepper to taste
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1 baguette, sliced and toasted
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1½–2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Caramelize the onions (don’t rush this!)
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
Add onions and cook slowly, stirring often, for 30–40 minutes until deep golden brown.
Sprinkle in sugar during the last 10 minutes if needed to boost browning.
2️⃣ Add garlic & deglaze
Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Pour in white wine and scrape up any browned bits. Let simmer 2–3 minutes.
3️⃣ Simmer the soup
Add beef broth, Worcestershire, bay leaf, and thyme.
Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered 20–25 minutes.
Remove bay leaf and adjust seasoning.
4️⃣ Toast the bread
Slice baguette and toast until crisp.
5️⃣ Assemble & broil
Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls.
Place toasted bread on top and cover generously with shredded Gruyère.
Broil 2–4 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
💡 Tips for Deep Flavor
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The darker the onions (without burning), the richer the soup.
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Use homemade or high-quality beef broth.
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For extra depth, add a splash of brandy before adding broth.
If you’d like, I can also give you a slow cooker onion version or a stovetop shortcut version.