Description
A classic French Onion Soup recipe featuring caramelized onions simmered in rich beef broth, enhanced with fresh thyme and bay leaf, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère cheese for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
Assembly
- 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
- 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Butter: In a large pot or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil and unsalted butter over medium heat until melted and combined, preparing the base for caramelizing onions.
- Caramelize the Onions: Add the thinly sliced yellow onions to the pot, stirring to coat with the fat. Sprinkle in the sugar and salt to help the onions caramelize evenly. Cook slowly over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn deep golden brown and are fully caramelized, about 40 minutes.
- Deglaze and Add Broth: Pour in the beef broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in fresh thyme leaves and the bay leaf. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and let it cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes to develop flavor. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Prepare the Baguette: While the soup simmers, slice the baguette into 1/2-inch slices and toast them in the oven or on a skillet until golden brown and crisp.
- Assemble and Broil: Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Place toasted baguette slices on top of the soup, then generously sprinkle grated Gruyère cheese over the bread. Place the bowls under a broiler until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes. Carefully remove and serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- If Gruyère cheese is unavailable, Swiss cheese can be used as an alternative.
- Caramelizing onions takes time but is crucial for deep flavor; be patient and stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Use oven-safe bowls when broiling the cheese topping to avoid breakage.
- Bread can be toasted ahead to save time before assembling the soup.
