Traditional French Onion Soup
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 45 minutes
Servings
4
Yield
4 servings
Calories
Approximately 400 calories
Traditional French Onion Soup is a masterpiece of French cuisine, a testament to the power of simplicity and the art of slow cooking.
This soup is all about the onions, caramelized to perfection, creating a rich base that’s both sweet and savory.
Simmered in a hearty beef broth and finished with a splash of wine, each spoonful offers a depth of flavor that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
The soup is then topped with a crusty slice of French bread and a generous layer of melted Gruyère cheese, broiled until bubbly and golden.
This dish is not just a meal; it’s an experience, transporting you to a quaint bistro in the heart of Paris with every bite.
Whether you’re a connoisseur of French cuisine or simply in search of a warm, comforting dish, this Traditional French Onion Soup is sure to satisfy.
Ingredients
- 5 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 8 cups of beef broth
- 1/2 cup of dry white wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 slices of crusty French bread
- 1 cup of grated Gruyère cheese
- Comments: The key to this soup is patience—allow the onions to caramelize slowly to develop the soup’s signature flavor.
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and sugar, cooking slowly, stirring frequently, until the onions are deeply caramelized, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in the wine, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pot.
- Add the beef broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each with a slice of French bread and a generous amount of grated Gruyère cheese.
- Broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Tips & Tricks
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth.
- If you don’t have oven-safe bowls, toast the bread with cheese separately and then add it on top of the soup before serving.
- A splash of brandy or sherry can add an extra layer of complexity to the soup.
Mise en Place
Ingredients
Utensils
- Onions
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Garlic
- Beef broth
- Dry white wine
- Bay leaf
- Dried thyme
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Crusty French bread
- Grated Gruyère cheese
- Large pot
- Oven-safe bowls
- Broiler
- Cheese grater
- Ladle
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