French onion soup is the ultimate comfort food that's surprisingly easy to make, even if you're not a whiz in the kitchen! Imagine the sweet aroma of caramelized onions on the stove, blending perfectly with the savory depth of the beef broth, all topped off with a cheesy slice of toasted bread. It's the kind of meal that tastes like you spent all day on the stove, yet it's quick and easy enough to pull together on a weeknight. Whether you're feeding a crowd or just want to cozy up with a comforting bowl of deliciousness, this soup has you covered.
If you love soup, you have to try ours Tomato Basil Soup And Sweet potato soup! You will not be disappointed!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy to prepare with straightforward ingredients and steps.
- Caramelized onions create a deep, rich flavor that's hard to resist.
- Perfect for casual family dinners or dinner parties.
French Onion Soup Recipe
History lesson: In 18th-century France, basic onion soup was especially common in poorer communities, where onions were cheap and plentiful. Restaurants dressed up that basic onion soup by adding cheese and then placing the bowls under the broiler, expanding its appeal to Parisian good society and creating the classic French onion soup we know today.
Components and Substitutions
- Olive oil and butter: Used for sautéing onions, they add richness. Substitute with a plant-based butter substitute or your favorite cooking oil if desired.
- yellow onion: The star of the show, sweet to caramelized. You can use white or red onions if you prefer, although yellow onions are traditionally used.
- Beef Broth: Provides a tasty base to soups. Chicken or vegetable broth can be used for a lighter flavor or vegetarian option.
- Dry sherry: adds depth; A dry white wine or additional broth may be omitted or substituted.
- Thyme, salt and black pepper: Seasonings that improve the overall flavor. Feel free to adjust to taste.
- French bread and cheese (gruyere, provolone, parmesan): Make the iconic cheesy, crispy topping. You can substitute with any crusty bread or cheese as needed.
Using substitutes can affect the final taste and texture.
Bread Substitutes
Choice of bread can transform your french onion soup from good to great! Although traditional recipes call for a French baguette, the key is to use a bread that provides a sturdy base for the rich, brothy soup and a generous layer of melted cheese. Here are some excellent options:
- French baguette: The classic choice, offering a crispy crust and a soft interior that soaks up the broth nicely without being too soggy.
- Sour: For a tangy twist, sour lentils bring a delightful flavor with the sweetness of caramelized onions.
- ciabatta: Its open crumb is perfect for capturing the essence of soup, and its sturdy crust holds up well under the broiler.
No matter which bread you choose, aim for slices about 1 inch thick and toast them until golden for the best experience. This ensures a delightful crunch that complements the soup's rich flavor and cheese topping.
French Onion Soup Bowl
A broiler-safe, deep bowl is the name of the game for French onion soup. If you've never used your soup bowl under the broiler and they don't say oven/broiler safe, you'll need to use a different bowl. We are big fans of it Traditional Soup Crock or Large ramekins.
If you don't have an oven-safe bowl, you can put your cheese on your toasted French bread slices and melt them under the broiler to make a little cheesy toast. When ready to serve your soup, ladle the soup into regular soup bowls and top with the cheesy toast.
problem solving
- Are the onions caramelizing? Increase the heat slightly, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Cheese not melting properly? Broil for an additional minute, but watch closely to avoid burning.
Tips from the chef
- Use a heavy bottomed pot To caramelize the onions evenly.
- Taste as you go. Especially before adding the final seasoning.
- To get a rich taste, Do not rush the caramelization Onion.
When is French onion soup ready?
- the color: Look for a deep, golden brown in caramelized onions.
- the texture: The soup should be rich and the onion tender.
- cheese: It should be melted and slightly browned on top.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare your soup the day before or the night before and refrigerate. When you're ready to serve, reheat it on the stove and then toast your bread and add the cheese and broil.
Storage and reheating instructions
Storage:
- Allow the soup to cool to room temperature before storing.
- Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Store toasted bread separately in a bread box or in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its crispiness.
Reheating:
- Reheat the soup gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
- If the soup thickens in the fridge, you can add a little water or broth to adjust the consistency.
- Toast or reheat separately under the broiler for 1-2 minutes or until hot and crisp.
Freezer Instructions:
- French onion soup freezes well without bread and cheese toppings.
- Cool the soup completely and transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator or reheat directly from frozen, adding a little extra broth if needed to adjust consistency.
To reheat from frozen:
- Reheat frozen soup on stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add broth as needed.
- Prepare fresh bread and cheese topping as directed for serving.
More amazing soup recipes
Watch the video below Where Rachel walks you through each step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we've always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes YouTube, facebook watch, or us facebook pageOr here on our website with their respective recipes.
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