Classic French Onion Soup with slow-cooked caramelized sweet onions, crisp baked crostini, and plenty of smooth melting Gruyère Cheese. This is the ultimate comfort soup, quick and easy to make.
This is one of my husband’s favorite recipes. If you love onions, then this mouthwatering soup is a must-make. We make this tasty soup at least once a month and love every spoonful. It is such an easy recipe that even the novice chef can handle it.
I love French onion soup. There is something dreamy about all those onions, slow-cooked to complete perfection, then simmered in broth and spice and topped with crostini and rich cheese! Life does not get much better than this.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted. Just adjust any added seasoning accordingly.
- Onions: Sweet yellow onion or Vidalia onions
- Thyme: I use dried thyme in the soup and then sprinkle with chopped fresh thyme.
- Wine: You can use dry red or dry white wine. Red adds a more robust flavor, and white is more subtle. If you have a personal preference, go with that.
- Broth: You can use all beef broth for a richer, fuller flavor or if it is just more convenient. I always have beef and chicken broth in the house, so I usually use a combination for this recipe.
- Crostini: I find they work best for this recipe. They hold up long enough to provide structure and texture without coming off as soggy bread. Alternatively, you can simply toast or broil baguette slices until golden brown.
- Gruyere cheese: Gruyere is a smooth melting type of Swiss Cheese with fewer and smaller eyes. If it is not available, you can substitute Swiss or Jarlsberg.
How to make French Onion Soup
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Start by heating a little butter and olive oil in a Dutch Oven or stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for about 45 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until they turn rich golden brown. If they are browning too fast, you may need to reduce the heat.
There is a fine line between stirring too much and not stirring enough. The key is to stir the onions enough to keep them from burning but not so much that they do not brown. This process is known as caramelizing the onions.
Once browned, stir in the garlic and dried thyme. Add the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan to remove the browned bits—this technique is known as deglazing. Now, let the wine and onions simmer for a few minutes.
Add the beef broth, chicken broth, Worcestershire Sauce, and bay leaf, and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Spoon the soup into oven-proof bowls, add several crostini to the top, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Set them on a baking sheet and place them under the broiler for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Plan to serve promptly.
Preparation Tips
- Caramelized onions are the star of this show, so don’t cut the process short.
- Broilers are very unpredictable. Stay close by and monitor well.
- Leftover soup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Waiting to add the crostini and cheese is best until you reheat.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve a salad with many textures and flavors, like mandarin orange salad with orange vinaigrette or pear salad with candied walnuts and mixed greens. For a heartier meal, try chicken cordon bleu or roasted pork loin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gruyère Cheese is the most flavorful and popular cheese for French Onion Soup. Gruyère is a smooth melting type of Swiss Cheese with fewer and smaller eyes. If it is not available, you can substitute Swiss or Jarlsberg.
Yes, prepare the onion broth mixture and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For serving, reheat the mixture on the stovetop over low heat or microwave at reduced power.
Spoon the soup into oven-proof bowls, add several crostini to the top, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Set them on a baking sheet and place them under the broiler for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Plan to serve promptly.
More Soup Recipes
Homemade French Onion Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large yellow onions sliced in half and cut from pole to pole in no greater than ¼ inch slices
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ cup dry white or red wine see notes
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth or beef stock
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Crostinis or large croutons
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a Dutch Oven or stock pot over medium to medium/low heat. Add the onions and cook for about 45 minutes, stirring every few minutes until they are a rich golden brown. If the onions are browning too fast reduce the heat.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the garlic and thyme. Cook for 1 minute while stirring. Add the wine, and using a spoon or spatula, try to remove as much of the brown glazing from the bottom of the pan as possible. Allow the wine to simmer with the onions for about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, beef broth, Worcestershire Sauce, and bay leaf. Simmer for 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- Add the soup to oven-safe bowls or cups. Top with crostini and grated cheese. Slip under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- Caramelized onions are the star of this show, so don’t cut the process short.
- Broilers are very unpredictable. Stay close by and monitor well.
- Leftover soup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Waiting to add the crostini and cheese is best until you reheat.
Nutrition
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Amy
Love how cheesy this soup is, it looks so comforting!
Sara Welch
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it did not disappoint! Definitely my kind of comfort food; looking forward to making this again and again, indeed!
Adrianne
I can see why your husband loves this soup, it looks delicious! It has that homecooked comfort food appeal and I love that. Will give it a go next weekend! Thanks
Biana
This French Onion Soup looks amazing! Am going to make it very soon.
Andrea
What a marvelous looking and sounding French onion soup. I just want to dig in right now!
Barb
Miss Beth, what can I use in place of garlic? I am allergic. Most recipes call for it and I never know how to replace it. Afraid they will taste to bland. Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Some people say you can caramelize celery and it gets close to the flavor and smell although I have never tried it. Please Let me know if you do and how it turns out.
Allyson
OMG, yes! This looks amazing. I love French onion soup. Will have to try this recipe soon!
Katie
Looks so good! I know my family will love this!!
Kimberly
This is one soup I never ever get tired of, SO delicious!
Betsy
Yum! Such a wonderfully savory soup! I love the mix of beef and chicken broth! Using both broths gives such a wonderfully deeper flavor! The Gruyere cheese is great on here. I hadn’t thought of using that one. Usually I use provolone with a touch of parmesan.
Karen Wildrom
What do you suggest serving along with the soup? I want to make this for a small luncheon I am planning.
Beth Pierce
How about baked salmon with garlic butter or Smoked Salmon Patties, roasted or marinated veggies, a light salad like an arugula salad with parmesan and a light vinaigrette, steamed shrimp or Seared Scallops. Any of these would be delicious with the soup.
Diane Fauvelle
I didn’t make this yet. But instead of beef broth, I use beef consume, I find even better taste.
Anjali
I love french onion soup but never felt confident enough to make it from scratch at home! Your recipe has inspired me to give it a try!
Julia
I am so happy I found your recipe! It’s been ages I want to try onion soup, finally it’s happening!
Taylor Kiser
This is my kind of comfort food! So cozy and delicious!
wilhelmina
This soup is so rich and delicious! Much better than some restaurant versions I have tried!