Description
A comforting, budget-friendly French onion soup made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and Gruyère cheese. This forgiving recipe yields deep, rich flavors with minimal active prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large yellow onions (about 3 pounds / 1.3 kg), sliced into ¼-inch strips
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
- ¼ cup dry sherry
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 loaf French bread or baguette, sliced ½ inch thick
- 2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Peel and slice onions, grate cheese, and measure broth and sherry.
- Caramelize onions: Heat butter and oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and a pinch of salt. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 30-35 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until onions are deep golden brown. Add a splash of water if sticking occurs.
- Build soup base: Sprinkle flour and sugar over caramelized onions. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add beef broth and sherry, scraping up browned bits. Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Prepare topping: Preheat broiler. Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet. Top each slice with grated Gruyère cheese.
- Assemble and broil: Ladle hot soup into broiler-safe bowls. Top with cheese-topped bread. Place bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Serve: Let bowls sit for 2 minutes before serving to allow cheese to set. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not rush the caramelization of onions; low and slow heat is essential for sweet, deep flavor. Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness. Grate your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. Watch the broiler closely as cheese burns quickly. Soup tastes better the next day as flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with bread an
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: French onion soup, budget meal, comfort food, Gruyère cheese, winter soup, easy dinner, meal prep