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The Ultimate Easy & Rich French Onion Soup with Perfectly Caramelized Onions

Close-up of rich french onion soup topped with a thick, cheesy, broiled crouton.
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Make restaurant-style French Onion Soup at home. This recipe focuses on deep, savory flavor from perfectly caramelized onions and a rich broth, topped with melted Gruyère and toasted bread for a hearty dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry sherry or dry white wine (optional, substitute with beef broth)
  • 6 cups high-quality beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 thick slices French bread, toasted
  • 8 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter and olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the sliced onions, salt, and sugar. Stir to coat. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  3. Cook the onions slowly, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes, for 45 to 60 minutes until they are deeply caramelized, dark brown, and sweet. Do not rush this step; this builds the flavor for your savory onion broth.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. If using, pour in the sherry or wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the liquid reduce by half, about 3 minutes.
  6. Pour in the beef broth. Add the thyme and bay leaf. Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and cook for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove the bay leaf and adjust seasoning with pepper and salt if needed.
  7. Preheat your broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls.
  8. Place one toasted slice of French bread on top of the soup in each bowl.
  9. Generously cover the bread with grated Gruyère cheese.
  10. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Serve immediately for a cheesy, melty cheese soup experience.

Notes

  • For a French Onion Soup Without Wine, simply use 1/2 cup extra beef broth in step 5.
  • If you do not have Gruyère, Swiss or Provolone cheese works well for the topping.
  • Toasting the French bread topping ensures it holds up against the hot broth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://daisyrecipe.com/french-onion-soup-easy-rich-recipe/