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French Onion Soup

A comforting dish with rich broth, sweet caramelized onions, and a gooey cheese topping, perfect for chilly nights.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Soup
Cuisine: French
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the soup
  • 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option) Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
  • 1 cup dry French bread, cubed For topping.
  • 1.5 cups grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese Feel free to experiment with other cheeses.
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Caramelizing the Onions
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sliced onions and sprinkle with sugar, allowing them to caramelize for about 30 minutes.
  2. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. They should turn a rich, golden brown.
Thickening the Soup
  1. Once the onions are caramelized, sprinkle in the flour, stirring well to combine.
Adding Broth
  1. Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
  2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Preparing the Bread
  1. While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Arrange the cubed French bread on a baking sheet and toast until golden brown, about 5-10 minutes.
Assembling and Broiling
  1. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top each with a handful of toasted bread cubes and a generous amount of cheese.
  2. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serving
  1. Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and let them cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

For best results, caramelize onions slowly for maximum sweetness. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days and reheat gently on the stove.