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French Onion Soup

A classic French dish made with caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and topped with melted Gruyère cheese for a comforting experience.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Soup
Cuisine: French
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 large onions, sliced A mix of yellow and sweet onions is recommended.
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar Helps caramelize the onions.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups beef broth Use high-quality broth for best flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • 4 slices French bread Toasted for topping.
  • 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese Traditional cheese for the topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Melt the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, and sugar.
  2. Stir frequently and cook the onions for about 30-40 minutes until they reach a deep golden brown color.
  3. Add minced garlic and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer until reduced by half.
  5. Add the beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
  6. While the soup simmers, slice and toast the French bread until golden. Grate the Gruyère cheese.
  7. Remove the bay leaf from the soup and ladle it into oven-safe bowls. Top with a slice of toasted bread and sprinkle generously with cheese.
  8. Broil the bowls until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.

Notes

Choose a combination of yellow and sweet onions for complexity. Use homemade or high-quality broth for the best taste. Don't rush the caramelization of the onions.