Best 8 Perfect French Onion Soup Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable French onion soup, a classic dish that captivates taste buds with its rich, flavorful broth, caramelized onions, and a crispy, cheesy crouton. This culinary masterpiece is a symphony of sweet, savory, and umami flavors, making it a timeless favorite enjoyed by people worldwide. Our collection of recipes offers a comprehensive guide to creating the perfect French onion soup, catering to various preferences and skill levels. From the traditional preparation using beef broth and cognac to vegetarian and vegan variations, each recipe provides step-by-step instructions and insightful tips to ensure success. Dive into the world of French onion soup and discover the secrets behind this iconic dish, relishing every comforting spoonful.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CLASSIC FRENCH ONION SOUP



Classic French Onion Soup image

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

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 2h15m

Yield 12 servings (2-1/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 11

5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon butter
8 cups thinly sliced onions (about 3 pounds)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup port wine
2 cartons (32 ounces each) beef broth
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
24 slices French bread baguette (1/2 inch thick)
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and halved
3/4 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese

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



French Onion Soup image

For a taste of the bistro, try Tyler Florence's ultimate French Onion Soup recipe, topped with nutty Gruy�re croutons.

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 onions, sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 fresh thyme sprigs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup red wine, about 1/2 bottle
3 heaping tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 quarts beef broth
1 baguette, sliced
1/2 pound grated Gruyere

Steps:

  • Melt the stick of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and salt and pepper and cook until the onions are very soft and caramelized, about 25 minutes. Add the wine, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has evaporated and the onions are dry, about 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Dust the onions with the flour and give them a stir. Turn the heat down to medium low so the flour doesn't burn, and cook for 10 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Now add the beef broth, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
  • When you're ready to eat, preheat the broiler. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle the slices with the Gruyere and broil until bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Ladle the soup in bowls and float several of the Gruyere croutons on top.
  • Alternative method: Ladle the soup into bowls, top each with 2 slices of bread and top with cheese. Put the bowls into the oven to toast the bread and melt the cheese.

THE BEST FRENCH ONION SOUP



The Best French Onion Soup image

This bistro classic is deceptively easy to make. It just takes a little time and a few good ingredients. We found that yellow onions, also known as Spanish onions, work best for this recipe. They have a nice balance of sweetness and bitterness and caramelize perfectly. Just don't take them too dark -- a nice golden brown is perfect. Good beef broth also makes a big difference. If you can't make your own, look for a high-quality prepared variety.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h55m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced (see Cook's Note)
3 bay leaves
3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups dry white wine
8 cups low-sodium beef broth
8 slices French-style baguette (about the size of the top of the soup crocks)
4 cups coarsely shredded Gruyere (about 2 pounds)

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a very large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onions, bay leaves, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and light golden-brown, about 1 hour. (The onions will begin to stick to the bottom of the pan and turn brown after about 30 minutes; just keep scraping them up and stirring them into the rest of the onions. If they are browning to quickly, lower the heat.)
  • Add the wine to the pot, bring to a simmer and cook until it has almost completely evaporated, about 4 minutes. Add the beef broth and 1 cup of water, bring to a simmer and cook until the flavors come together and the soup is rich, about 45 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Keep the soup warm on a low burner or cool completely and refrigerate to reheat later. (The soup can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.)
  • Preheat the broiler. Place four soup crocks on a rimmed baking sheet and fill them about 3/4 of the way with hot soup. Float a slice of baguette on top of each and cover with 1/2 cup Gruyere. Broil until the Gruyere is golden brown (don't be alarmed if some soup bubbles out), 2 to 3 minutes.

FRENCH ONION SOUP



French Onion Soup image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     appetizer

Time 2h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

5 sweet onions (like Vidalias) or a combination of sweet and red onions (about 4 pounds)
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups white wine
10 ounces canned beef consomme
10 ounces chicken broth
10 ounces apple cider (unfiltered is best)
Bouquet garni; thyme sprigs, bay leaf and parsley tied together with kitchen string
1 loaf country style bread
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
Splash of Cognac (optional)
1 cup Fontina or Gruyere cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Trim the ends off each onion then halve lengthwise. Remove peel and finely slice into half-moon shapes. Set electric skillet to 300 degrees and add butter. Once butter has melted add a layer of onions and sprinkle with a little salt. Repeat layering onions and salt until all onions are in the skillet. Do not try stirring until onions have sweated down for 15 to 20 minutes. After that, stir occasionally until onions are dark mahogany and reduced to approximately 2 cups. This should take 45 minutes to 1 hour. Do not worry about burning.
  • Add enough wine to cover the onions and turn heat to high, reducing the wine to a syrup consistency. Add consomme, chicken broth, apple cider and bouquet garni. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Place oven rack in top 1/3 of oven and heat broiler.
  • Cut country bread in rounds large enough to fit mouth of oven safe soup crocks. Place the slices on a baking sheet and place under broiler for 1 minute.
  • Season soup mixture with salt, pepper and cognac. Remove bouquet garni and ladle soup into crocks leaving one inch to the lip. Place bread round, toasted side down, on top of soup and top with grated cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden, 1 to 2 minutes.

FRENCH ONION SOUP



French onion soup image

Our French onion soup is deliciously rich and easy to make at home. This savoury soup is perfect for using up a garden glut and great for dinner parties

Provided by Sara Buenfeld

Categories     Lunch, Main course

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 10

50g butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1kg onions, halved and thinly sliced
1 tsp sugar
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tbsp plain flour
250ml dry white wine
1.3l hot strongly-flavoured beef stock
4-8 slices baguette (depending on size)
140g gruyère, finely grated

Steps:

  • Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large heavy-based pan. Add the onions and fry with the lid on for 10 mins until soft.
  • Sprinkle in the sugar and cook for 20 mins more, stirring frequently, until caramelised. The onions should be really golden, full of flavour and soft when pinched between your fingers. Take care towards the end to ensure that they don't burn.
  • Add the garlic cloves for the final few minutes of the onions' cooking time, then sprinkle in the plain flour and stir well.
  • Increase the heat and keep stirring as you gradually add the wine, followed by the beef stock. Cover and simmer for 15-20 mins.
  • To serve, turn on the grill, and toast the bread. Ladle the soup into heatproof bowls.
  • Put a slice or two of toast on top of the bowls of soup, and pile on the gruyère. Grill until melted. Alternatively, you can cook the toasts under the grill, then add them to the soup to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 618 calories, Fat 27 grams fat, SaturatedFat 14 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 59 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 17 grams sugar, Fiber 9 grams fiber, Protein 26 grams protein, Sodium 2.6 milligram of sodium

RICH AND SIMPLE FRENCH ONION SOUP



Rich and Simple French Onion Soup image

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

½ cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups sliced onions
4 (10.5 ounce) cans beef broth
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
4 slices French bread
4 slices provolone cheese
2 slices Swiss cheese, diced
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

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

PERFECT FRENCH ONION SOUP



Perfect French Onion Soup image

A great way to warm yourself up in the Fall / Winter. It tastes way better than what you get in the restaurants!!! Maybe the addition of Merlot...?

Provided by Ian Magary

Categories     Clear Soup

Time 50m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 (32 ounce) boxes beef broth
1 (750 ml) bottle merlot or 1 (750 ml) bottle cabernet sauvignon wine
6 -8 yellow onions (chopped)
1/2 cup butter
Worcestershire sauce
salt
black pepper
3 -4 beef bouillon cubes
parsley
italian seasoning
1 (8 ounce) bag shredded mozzarella cheese
6 slices wheat bread

Steps:

  • Sautee yellow onions and butter until soft.
  • Add Beef Broth and 3/4 bottle of the wine.
  • Bring to boil adding remaining ingredients to taste (we love a lot of worcestershire!).
  • Once at a boil, bring down to simmer and allow time for the wine's alcohol to cook off.
  • We've found that the worcestershire sauce and wine combo really makes the soup delicious.
  • Serve soup with some cheese already in the bowl and place a slice of bread and more cheese on top.
  • Melt and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 489.7, Fat 25.7, SaturatedFat 15.4, Cholesterol 70.9, Sodium 2143.9, Carbohydrate 27.7, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 7.4, Protein 15.7

PERFECT FRENCH ONION SOUP



PERFECT FRENCH ONION SOUP image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Vegetable

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided evenly into 3 pieces
6 large yellow onions, halfed and cut root to stem into 1/4" thick slices
2 cloves garlic, chopped
salt
2 cups water, plus extra
1/2 cup dry sherry
1/3 cup dry red wine
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups beef broth
6 sprigs fresh thyme, tied together with twine
1 bay leaf
black pepper
baguette slices cut 1/2" thick (1 per bowl).
8oz shredded Gruyere cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400F Generously grease the inside of a large Dutch oven with nonstick cooking spray. Place the butter into the Dutch oven, then add the onions with 1 teaspoon salt. Cook covered for 1 hour, then remove from the oven and stir onions, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pot. Return the pot to the oven with the lid slightly ajar and continue to cook until the onions are very soft and golden brown (about 1 1/2 hours). Make sure to stir the onions and scrape the sides of the pot after 1 hour. Remove the pot from the oven and place over medium-high heat. Cook the onions, stirring frequently and scraping the sides of the pot until the liquid evaporates and the onions brown (use oven mitts to handle the pot), or for about 15 to 20 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the bottom of the pot is coated with a dark crust (another 6 or 7 minutes). Once the onions are a very dark brown, add the garlic and continue to stir for another 30 seconds to a minute, or until the garlic becomes fragrant. Stir in the sherry and red wine, and cook, stirring frequently until the liquid evaporates (another 7 to 10 minutes). Stir in the broths, 2 cups water, thyme, bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot as you do to loosen everything up. Increase the heat to high until simmering, then reduce the head to low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and bake about 10 minutes in the oven. Remove and discard the herbs from the soup, then season with salt and pepper to taste. To serve, adjust oven to boiling. Ladle soup into the bowls, then top with 1 or 2 baguette slices. Sprinkle with Gruyere cheese, then broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly around the edges (3 to 5 minutes). Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the soup will be. Use fresh onions, good-quality beef broth, and a flavorful cheese.
  • Caramelize the onions slowly: This is the key to getting a deep, rich flavor in the soup. Don't rush the process; it takes time to get the onions nice and brown.
  • Don't be afraid to add a little bit of sugar: This will help to caramelize the onions and add a touch of sweetness to the soup.
  • Use a good quality beef broth: This will give the soup a rich, flavorful base.
  • Season the soup to taste: Add salt and pepper to taste, and maybe a pinch of thyme or rosemary.
  • Top the soup with a generous amount of cheese: This will make the soup extra cheesy and delicious.
  • Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread: This is the perfect way to soak up all of the delicious broth.

Conclusion:

French onion soup is a classic for a reason. It's a delicious, comforting dish that is perfect for a winter meal. With its rich, flavorful broth, caramelized onions, and melted cheese, it's sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a warm and satisfying soup, give this recipe a try.

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