Indulge in the timeless classic of French cuisine, French onion soup, elevated with the rich, nutty flavor of shaved Swiss cheese. This savory soup captivates the senses with its caramelized onions, slow-cooked in a flavorful beef broth, creating a deeply satisfying and aromatic base. As the centerpiece of the dish, Swiss cheese is generously shaved atop golden-brown croutons, forming a delectable, gooey layer that melts into the piping hot soup. Discover the art of making this iconic soup from scratch, with expert tips on achieving perfectly caramelized onions, a velvety smooth broth, and irresistibly crisp croutons. Find variations to suit your taste, including a vegetarian-friendly version that swaps the beef broth for a flavorful vegetable broth. Dive into the culinary journey and savor the timeless tradition of French onion soup, now enhanced with the luxurious touch of melted Swiss cheese.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
CLASSIC FRENCH ONION SOUP
Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. -Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 2h15m
Yield 12 servings (2-1/4 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until softened, 10-13 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Add minced garlic; cook 2 minutes longer., Stir in wine. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add broth, pepper and salt; return to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet; brush both sides with remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Bake until toasted, 3-5 minutes on each side. Rub toasts with halved garlic. , To serve, place twelve 8-oz. broiler-safe bowls or ramekins on baking sheets; place 2 toasts in each. Ladle with soup; top with cheese. Broil 4 in. from heat until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 172 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 773mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.
FRENCH ONION SOUP
This classic French onion soup topped with melted gruyère and parmesan is the epitome of rustic comfort food.
Provided by Jennifer Segal
Categories Soups
Yield 4 to 6
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the oil, onions, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until onions are deep golden brown and caramelized, 45 to 55 minutes. In the beginning, you will only need to stir the onions only occasionally. As they start to brown midway through cooking, you will need to stir them frequently, scraping the fond (the brown particles) from the bottom of the pan. If the onions are browning too quickly, reduce the heat slightly or add a few tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan and continue cooking.
- Add the wine and raise the heat to high. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape any fond from the bottom of the pan, until almost all of the liquid has evaporated and the onions are jammy, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for one minute.
- Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook, covered, for about 30 minutes.
- While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 400°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until the bread is dry, crisp, and golden at edges, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
- When the soup is finished, remove the bay leaves and add the sherry; taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If the soup needs a deeper flavor, try a few shakes of Worcestershire sauce. If it's not quite sweet enough, add ¼ teaspoon sugar.
- Adjust an oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Set individual broiler-safe crocks on a baking sheet and divide the hot soup among the crocks (be sure the soup is very hot as it won't warm up much in the oven). Top each crock with 1 or 2 baguette slices (do not overlap slices) and sprinkle evenly with Gruyère and then Parmigianno Reggiano. Slide the crocks into the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly around edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Let the crocks cool for a few minutes before serving. (Alternatively, if using regular soup bowls: Top each toast slice with some cheese and return to broiler to melt, about 2 minutes more. Divide the soup among bowls and top each serving with two cheese toasts.)
- Make-Ahead Instructions: The soup can be made and refrigerated up to 3 days ahead (without toasts or cheese), or up to 3 months ahead and frozen. Toasts can be made (without the cheese) and kept sealed at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 642, Fat 31 g, Carbohydrate 53 g, Protein 31 g, SaturatedFat 17 g, Sugar 19 g, Fiber 4 g, Sodium 1,697 mg, Cholesterol 82 mg
RICH AND SIMPLE FRENCH ONION SOUP
We have been trying French onion soup in restaurants for years and my family and friends agree none can compare to my recipe for taste and simplicity of preparation.
Provided by Lori Levin
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Onion Soup Recipes French Onion Soup Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Melt butter with olive oil in an 8 quart stock pot on medium heat. Add onions and continually stir until tender and translucent. Do not brown the onions.
- Add beef broth, sherry and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven broiler.
- Ladle soup into oven safe serving bowls and place one slice of bread on top of each (bread may be broken into pieces if you prefer). Layer each slice of bread with a slice of provolone, 1/2 slice diced Swiss and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Place bowls on cookie sheet and broil in the preheated oven until cheese bubbles and browns slightly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 585.3 calories, Carbohydrate 27.9 g, Cholesterol 98 mg, Fat 43.9 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 20.9 g, SaturatedFat 24.2 g, Sodium 1578.3 mg, Sugar 6 g
FRENCH ONION SOUP WITH SHAVED SWISS CHEESE
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven or large, heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add half of the onions and cook, stirring, until dark golden brown and caramelized, about 15 minutes. Add the remaining onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until a deep caramel color, about 1 hour. Add the bourbon and cook, stirring occasionally, until evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients except the cheese, and stir well. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick and fragrant, about 1 hour. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm. To serve, sprinkle each portion with grated Swiss cheese
THREE-CHEESE FRENCH ONION SOUP
This satisfying soup is fantastic any autumn or winter day. The blend of Swiss, Parmesan and mozzarella gives it a richness onion soup lovers will enjoy. -Gina Berry, Chanhassen, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 7 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, saute onions in butter until tender. Add the broth, water, soup mix, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes., Meanwhile, place bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with Swiss and mozzarella cheeses. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. , Ladle soup into serving bowls; top each with a toast slice. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 205 calories, Fat 12g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 34mg cholesterol, Sodium 1120mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
Tips:
- Use a variety of onions: This will give your soup a more complex flavor. Try using yellow onions, sweet onions, and red onions.
- Caramelize the onions slowly: This is the key to getting a rich, flavorful soup. Don't rush the process, and let the onions cook until they are deep brown.
- Use a good quality beef broth: This will also help to give your soup a rich flavor. Look for a broth that is low in sodium so you can control the saltiness of the soup.
- Add a splash of white wine: This will add a touch of acidity and brighten the flavor of the soup.
- Use a variety of cheeses: This will give your soup a more complex flavor and texture. Try using a combination of Gruyère, Swiss, and Parmesan cheeses.
- Serve the soup with a baguette or crusty bread: This will help to soak up the delicious broth.
Conclusion:
French onion soup is a classic dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is rich, flavorful, and comforting. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious French onion soup that your family and friends will love.
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