Indulge in a culinary journey to savor the timeless classic, French onion soup, elevated with a homemade beef stock that imparts an unparalleled depth of flavor. This hearty and comforting soup is a true testament to the art of slow cooking, where caramelized onions meld seamlessly with rich beef broth, creating a symphony of flavors. As you embark on this culinary adventure, you'll discover not only the classic French onion soup recipe but also variations that add a touch of modernity and creativity to this beloved dish. From a vegetarian version that showcases the natural sweetness of caramelized onions to a cheesy gratinée that adds a golden-brown crust of melted cheese, these recipes offer a range of options to suit every palate.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
HOMEMADE BEEF STOCK FOR FRENCH ONION SOUP
This recipe can be halved. After making the French Onion Soup, you will have a couple of cups of stock left over. You can use it in any recipe calling for beef stock.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Soups, Stews & Stocks Soup Recipes
Yield Makes 4 quarts
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange beef bones and oxtail in a single layer in a heavy roasting pan (not glass). Coat with oil. Roast, turning once, until deep brown, about 45 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, onions, leeks, celery, carrots, and garlic, stirring well. Roast until vegetables are browned and tender, about 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make a bouquet garni by wrapping parsley, thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a square of cheesecloth. Tie bundle with kitchen twine; set aside.
- Transfer bones and vegetables to a large stockpot; set aside. Pour off fat from roasting pan. Set pan on stove across two burners. Add wine, and bring to a boil, deglazing pan by scraping up any brown bits from bottom with a wooden spoon; boil until wine is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add to stockpot.
- Add 6 quarts (24 cups) water to stockpot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; bring to a gentle simmer. Add bouquet garni. Simmer, uncovered, over low heat, 3 hours.
- Carefully pass stock through a fine sieve into a large bowl or pot; discard solids. Let stock cool completely.
- Transfer stock to airtight containers. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or up to 3 days before using (fat will solidify; discard it before using). The stock can be frozen up to 4 months.
FRENCH ONION SOUP WITH HOMEMADE BEEF STOCK
While making the beef stock from scratch is time consuming, it really makes for a fabulous soup! Of course you can always buy beef stock too (if you are in a bit of a hurry)! This serves 4 as a main course with crunchy French bread and a simple side salad (try mixing tender butter lettuce, sweet green and red leaf lettuce, some crunchy iceberg, confettied light green cabbage and grated carrot with candied pecans and a light balsamic or Italian dressing).
Provided by Lolobug
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Onion Soup Recipes French Onion Soup Recipes
Time 6h15m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Place the water, beef ribs, parsnips, onions, carrots, celery, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme into a large soup pot over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, skimming and discarding the foam that forms on the top of the broth, until the broth is a rich brown color, 5 to 6 hours. Broth may be made in a slow cooker. Strain the broth, discard the ribs and vegetables, and refrigerate extra broth.
- Melt butter in a large heavy skillet or cast iron pan over medium-low heat, and cook the onions and garlic until caramelized and brown, about 30 minutes. Mix flour, herbes de Provence, paprika, and garlic powder together in a bowl, and sprinkle the flour mixture over the browned onions. Cook and stir 5 minutes; add salt and black pepper to taste, and mix in parsley and 1 more teaspoon of thyme.
- Pour in 4 cups of beef broth, white wine, sherry, and hot pepper sauce; simmer until the flavors have blended and the soup has thickened, at least 15 minutes. More time couldn't hurt.
- About 15 minutes before serving time, preheat oven's broiler, and place a rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
- Brush the slices of French bread with flavored olive oil, and toast under the preheated broiler until well browned on each side, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Ladle soup into ovenproof soup bowls, and place a toasted bread slice on top of each bowl. Sprinkle each bread slice evenly with Gruyere cheese.
- Place the filled soup bowls under the broiler until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and browned, 2 to 4 minutes or as needed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 865.4 calories, Carbohydrate 82.5 g, Cholesterol 135.9 mg, Fat 40.7 g, Fiber 13.5 g, Protein 42.1 g, SaturatedFat 21.9 g, Sodium 1319.9 mg, Sugar 22.2 g
FRENCH ONION SOUP
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large stockpot on medium-high heat, saute the onions with the butter and bay leaf for 20 minutes, until the onions turn a rich golden brown color. Deglaze the pan with the sherry and brandy and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the white wine and simmer uncovered for 15 more minutes.
- Add the beef and veal stocks plus salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, taste for salt and pepper, and serve hot with grated Parmesan.
EASY FRENCH ONION SOUP
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- In a large non-stick skillet or sauté pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Sauté the sliced onions for about 30 to 45 minutes, or until very soft and golden brown in color. Stir them frequently. If they are browning too quickly or scorching, turn the heat to low. It takes time to get that sweet caramelization, so don't try to rush it.
- In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the beef broth and water with the cooked onion and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, position a rack 4 inches from the broiler. Heat the broiler and place the bread on a foil-lined baking sheet. Toast until golden, 30 to 45 seconds.
- Remove from the oven, flip the bread, and divide the cheese between the slices. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted, 20 to 30 seconds.
- To serve, pour the onion soup into four individual soup bowls. Float a slice of toasted French bread, cheese side up, in each bowl and sprinkle with extra cheese. Garnish with chives, if using.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 433 kcal, Carbohydrate 57 g, Cholesterol 38 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 1211 mg, Sugar 9 g, Fat 16 g, ServingSize 4 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
FRENCH ONION SOUP
My seven-year-old daughter Heather and I enjoy spending time together cooking, but our days are busy, so we appreciate quick and tasty recipes like this one. Hot and delicious, this soup hits the spot for lunch or dinner. -Sandra Chambers, Carthage, Mississippi
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers Lunch
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large covered saucepan, cook onions and garlic in butter over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes or until tender and golden, stirring occasionally. Add water, bouillon and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. , Ladle hot soup into six ovenproof bowls. Top each with a piece of French bread. Cut each slice of cheese in half and place over the bread. Broil until cheese melts. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 244 calories, Fat 15g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 46mg cholesterol, Sodium 1387mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
FRENCH ONION SOUP
Provided by Nancy Fuller
Categories appetizer
Time 1h40m
Yield About 8 cups
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in the onions, butter, thyme and bay leaves. Cook, adding some water and scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown, about 45 minutes.
- Stir the flour into the onions and then add the beef stock, wine and some salt, and simmer for 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaves.
- While the soup cooks, slice a few inches from the tops of the boules and pull out the bread inside, leaving a 1-inch thick crust. Reserve the insides for serving with the soup.
- Preheat the broiler. Put the bread bowls on a baking sheet. Ladle the soup into the bread bowls. Divide the Gruyere among the bowls and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the soup bowls to plates and serve hot with the reserved bread, for dipping in the soup.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Put enough olive oil in a heavy-bottomed roasting pan to coat the bottom, then add the beef bones. Roast until browned, turning occasionally, 35 to 40 minutes.
- Put the carrots, celery, onions, bay leaves, garlic and peppercorns in a large stock pot . Add the beef bones, making sure to scrape off and add any brown bits from the roasting pan. Add 8 cups water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, skimming any scum on the surface. Lower the heat and simmer, skimming every hour or so, for 4 1/2 hours.
- Strain the stock through a fine strainer into a metal container. Set the container in an ice bath to cool. If not using right away, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze for 4 months.
FRENCH ONION SOUP WITH BEEF
If you like the classic version, you are going to love this hearty French onion soup with beef, topped with a cheesy toasted baguette.
Provided by Fox Valley Foodie
Categories Soup
Time 2h40m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Add cooking oil to a large pot or Dutch oven and set over medium high heat. Once oil is shimmering add beef stew meat and sear until well browned on all sides.
- Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set aside in a large bowl. Reduce the heat to medium. Deglaze any burnt on browned bits on the bottom of the pot by adding a splash of beef stock and scraping them loose with a wooden spoon. Pour off liquid into the bowl with the seared beef.
- Add butter to the pot along with sliced onions, sugar, and salt. Slowly caramelize the onions until deeply golden brown, stirring occasionally. Approximately 30 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute for an additional two minutes.
- Sprinkle flour into the onion mixture, stir it around to fully incorporate and let the raw flour taste cook out for a minute or two, then add the beef and deglazing liquid back to the pot.
- Add the remaining beef stock to the pot along with wine, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and black pepper. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to medium low, and let simmer for two hours, or until beef is tender.
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with toasted baguette slices and shredded cheese. Place bowls under the broiler until the cheese has melted, then serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 621 kcal, Carbohydrate 40 g, Protein 27 g, Fat 35 g, SaturatedFat 17 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 85 mg, Sodium 1267 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 10 g, UnsaturatedFat 17 g, ServingSize 1 serving
EASY FRENCH ONION SOUP
This soup is simple to make after work. My husband thinks it is as good if not better than any we've ever had in a restaurant.
Provided by Elizabeth Fullerton
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place onions and butter in saucepan.
- Sauté on medium heat until onions are tender.
- Add garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes (don't let garlic burn).
- Add beef broth, consomme, and Woschershire sauce.
- Bring to a boil for 1 minute.
- Take ovenproof bowls (I use over-sized coffee mugs) and place 0.125 cup of cheese in bottom of each bowl.
- Fill bowl with soup leaving room at the top.
- Place toasted French bread on top.
- Top with 0.125 cup Swiss cheese.
- Place under broiler until cheese is bubbly.
- Serve immediately.
- Caution--bowls will be hot!
Tips:
- Use a good quality beef stock for the soup. You can use store-bought or make your own using the recipe in the article.
- Caramelize the onions slowly and patiently. This will develop their flavor and give the soup a rich, golden color.
- Use a variety of cheeses in the soup. This will give it a more complex flavor and texture.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients. For example, you could add mushrooms, bacon, or even beer to the soup.
- Serve the soup with a crusty baguette or crostini for dipping.
Conclusion:
French onion soup is a classic dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is rich, flavorful, and comforting. The homemade beef stock gives the soup a deep, beefy flavor, and the caramelized onions add a touch of sweetness. The cheese melted on top of the soup is the perfect finishing touch. If you are looking for a delicious and easy-to-make soup, French onion soup is a great choice.
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