Classic French Onion Soup

Let’s make French Onion Soup. This is a perfect comforting dish for a cold day. With this top-rated French Onion Soup recipe you can make a restaurant-quality dish. All you need to do is follow the instructions and enjoy the process of preparation. Plus, along with the recipe, you get our ingredient tips and storage secrets.

French onion soup, a timeless classic that brings warmth and richness to any dining experience. This recipe captures the essence of this beloved dish, offering a symphony of flavors with the perfect balance of caramelized onions, robust broth, and the crowning glory of melted cheeses.

Vadim Rachok

Chef

What Is The French Onion Soup?

French onion soup is traditionally made with golden-brown caramelized onions, giving the soup its characteristic sweet and savory flavor. The caramelized onions are then simmered in a savory beef broth, which is often flavored with herbs such as thyme and bay leaves. Soup is usually served hot, with a slice of crusty bread and melted cheese such as Gruyère or Emmental.

French onion soup’s exact origins are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in 18th-century Paris. At that time, onions were a staple ingredient in French cuisine because they were cheap and easy to find, making them a common choice for soups and stews.

Over the years, French onion soup has become a popular dish in France and around the world, appreciated for its comforting qualities and depth of taste. It has also inspired many variations and adaptations. However, the essence of the dish remains rooted in its simple yet satisfying combination of caramelized onions, rich broth, and gooey cheese.

French Onion Soup Ingredients

• Onions: The star ingredient of the soup, onions are caramelized to bring out their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
• White Wine (Sherry): Enhances the overall flavor of the soup by adding subtle acidity and complexity to the broth.
• Brown Veal Broth: Provides a rich and savory base for the soup, adding depth of flavor and umami notes.
• Anise: Adds licorice notes and aromatic complexity to the broth.
• Thyme: Adds earthy and herbaceous notes that complement the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
• Sugar: Caramelizes the onions and adds sweetness and richness to the soup.
• Baguette: Baguette slices are traditionally toasted and placed on the soup before topping with cheese, adding texture and substance to each bite.
• Gruyère cheese (slices): Melts beautifully on top of the toasted baguette slices, creating a gooey and indulgent topping that adds richness and depth of flavor to the soup.
• Tet de Moine cheese: Another cheese option that is melted over the soup, adding a unique taste profile to the dish.
• Butter: Used to sauté the onions and add richness to the soup, contributing to its luxurious texture and mouthfeel.

How to Make French Onion Soup?

1. First, cut onions into half rings and sauté in butter with anise until golden brown. Then, add thyme and butter.
2. Next, add sugar and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add white wine and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Then pour in the broth and simmer for 2-3 hours. 
5. Remove the soup from heat and season it to taste with salt and pepper.
6. To serve: Pour the thick soup into a deep bowl, place the crouton on top, and sprinkle with two kinds of cheese.
7. Bake the soup in the oven at 365 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.

Chef Recipe Tips:

• You can add a sprig of tarragon to the soup for a richer and fresher flavor. 
• The veal stock can be replaced by chicken stock. 
• It is very important to use the wine “Sherry”, it will make the taste classic and correct

What Cheese Is Best For French Onion Soup?

The traditional topping for French onion soup is Gruyère, but you can also use other cheeses. For maximum decadence, most French onion soups are topped with three kinds of cheese.
This recipe calls for Gruyère and Tet de Moine cheese. Gruyère cheese adds richness and depth of flavor to the soup. Tet de Moine cheese helps to add a unique taste profile to the dish. Other popular choices are Fontina and Mozzarella. Whichever cheese you choose, don’t skimp! French onion soup should be rich and indulgent.

What’s the Easiest Way to Caramelize Onions? 

The easiest and most hands-free way to caramelize onions is to do it in the oven. That’s right, you can actually do this without having to stand over the stove and stir every two minutes for up to an hour! Start by placing the onions on the stove, then cover partially, leaving a crack to allow the steam to escape. Place in the oven for about an hour. Stir once halfway through. At the end of the hour, the onions will not be completely caramelized. They’ll need another 10 to 15 minutes on the stove. But they’ll cook a lot faster after this head start in the oven! 

Can You Make French Onion Soup in Advance?

Of course! You can make step 4 a day or two ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve it, reheat it again on the stovetop and then continue with the rest of the recipe.

What Onions Are Better For French Onion Soup?

Thinly sliced yellow onions are traditionally used in French onion soup. You can also use red or white onions to make a delicious soup, it just depends on what you like and what you have to hand.

How to Store French Onion Soup

To store French Onion Soup properly, allow it to cool completely before pouring it into an airtight container or into individual serving bowls. Refrigerate immediately, making sure to keep the soup at a constant temperature of 40°F (4°C) or below. If you are storing them in individual bowls, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. French Onion Soup will be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

How to Reheat French Onion Soup

If you want to reheat the French Onion Soup, just bring it to a boil on the stove. You can add more toasted bread and cheese if you want to go the extra mile, but you can also use store-bought croutons for quick and easy results.

You can also reheat the soup in the microwave. Cover the bowl loosely with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap to prevent splattering. Microwave the soup on high power for 1 minute, stirring between each microwave cycle, until heated through. This usually takes 2-3 minutes, depending on the size of the portion and your microwave power. Be careful not to overheat the soup to prevent it from boiling over.

How to Freeze French Onion Soup

You can easily freeze the French Onion Soup without using the croutons: Simply transfer the chilled soup to an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months. You can also freeze it in serving-size portions for future convenience-no need to thaw and refreeze the whole batch.

To thaw frozen French Onion Soup, simply place it in the refrigerator and let it defrost overnight. In a hurry? You can thaw it faster by submerging the sealed container in cool water.