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French onion soup in a bowl topped with bread and cheese
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5 from 14 votes

French Onion Soup

This French Onion Soup is way better than what I have had at most restaurants. The rich flavor of the broth paired with the gooey cheese is unbeatable!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: French
Keyword: French Onion Soup
Servings: 4
Calories: 680kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
  • 4 medium sweet onions
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 31.5 ounces Beef Consomme 3, 10.5 oz cans (found with the canned soups at the store)
  • 10.5 ounces Beef Broth
  • 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 4 slices French baguette OR 2 c. Parmesan croutons
  • 8 ounces Gruyere cheese shredded
  • Parmesan cheese to taste
  • paprika to taste

Instructions

  • Peel and thinly slice the onions.
    a bowl of sliced onions
  • Melt butter in a stock pot. Add onions, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until onions are soft and brown (about 30-45 minutes).
    caramelized onions in a large pot with a bay leaf
  • Add consomme, beef broth, and vinegar and simmer for another 30 minutes (at this point you can also transfer to a crock pot and cook on low heat for several hours).
    french onion soup in a pot
  • When ready to eat, toast French baguette slices in the broiler for about 2 minutes turning once, until lightly toasted on each side. Remove from broiler, but keep broiler on.
    toasted baguette slices on a baking sheet
  • Remove and discard bay leaf and thyme from the soup. Ladle soup evenly into 4 oven-safe serving bowls. Place a slice or two of French baguette into each bowl.
    French onion soup in a bowl topped with bread
  • Sprinkle cheese and paprika over the top.
    French onion soup in a bowl topped with bread and cheese
  • Broil for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
    French onion soup in a bowl topped with bread and cheese

Video

Notes

We have updated this recipe as of 9/28/2023 - in the new recipe shredded Gruyere cheese has been substituted for sliced Provolone and Swiss cheese. This is more congruent with traditional French Onion Soup. 
To Freeze French Onion Soup:
    • Make sure the soup has cooled completely before freezing, so it doesn't run the risk of growing bacteria.
    • Freeze in individual servings or in airtight freezer containers. This makes it easier to thaw and reheat only the amount you need.
    • When you're ready to reheat, remove the soup from the freezer and let it thaw in an airtight container in the fridge overnight. Heat the soup in a soup bowl in the microwave, stirring every thirty seconds or so.
    • Keep in mind that the texture of the onions may change after freezing and reheating. They can become softer and less crisp compared to freshly made soup.
    • You may need to adjust the seasonings, adding a little more salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 680kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 2376mg | Potassium: 460mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1274IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 661mg | Iron: 3mg