If you’re searching for the ultimate bowl of cozy, soul-soothing comfort, look no further than this Simple French Onion Soup. With its deeply caramelized onions, savory broth, crunchy baguette, and bubbling blanket of Gruyère cheese, this classic French dish wraps you in the warmest flavors. It’s my go-to recipe when I want to treat myself (and my loved ones!) to something truly special with surprisingly humble ingredients, and it never fails to draw oohs and aahs at the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The true magic of Simple French Onion Soup lies in how a handful of everyday ingredients transform into a rich, elegant dish. Each component plays an important role: from the earthy sweetness of caramelized onions to the melty cheese topping, every bite is a study in comfort food perfection.
- Yellow onions: The star of the show! Slicing them thin ensures quick, even caramelization and brings out their natural sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Adds velvety richness and helps to brown the onions without burning.
- Olive oil: Works with the butter to prevent scorching and adds an aromatic base layer.
- Salt: Essential for drawing out the onions’ moisture and deepening the flavors.
- Sugar: Speeds up caramelization and helps those onions turn wonderfully golden.
- Black pepper: Lends a gentle, peppery kick to balance the sweetness.
- Dry white wine (optional): Deglazes the pan for extra depth and a touch of acidity—use what you love to drink!
- Beef broth (or vegetable broth): Builds a rich, savory base—vegetable broth works perfectly for a vegetarian Simple French Onion Soup.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami complexity; try a vegetarian version if needed.
- Dried thyme: Just a pinch infuses lovely herby notes without overwhelming the soup.
- Bay leaf: Simmered to release subtle, old-world fragrance.
- Baguette: Sliced, toasted, and destined to become the bread-y raft beneath your gooey cheese cap.
- Gruyère cheese (or Swiss): The signature stretchy, nutty, melty topping you just can’t skip.
How to Make Simple French Onion Soup
Step 1: Caramelize the Onions
Melt the butter and olive oil together in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, sugar, and black pepper all at once. Now, the key is patience: stir them often, lean into those soothing kitchen smells, and let them cook low and slow for 30–40 minutes. You’re waiting for the onions to lose their bite, relax into silky ribbons, and turn a deep, golden color. This is where your soup gets all its irresistible sweet-savoriness!
Step 2: Deglaze with Wine
If using wine, pour it in and give the pot a good scrape with your spoon to lift up all those caramelized bits from the bottom—those are flavor gold! Let the wine simmer until it’s mostly evaporated, concentrating all that beautiful flavor in your onions.
Step 3: Simmer the Soup
Next, stir in the beef or vegetable broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Give everything a gentle stir, turn up the heat to bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. The broth will mingle with the caramelized onions and spices, transforming into a deeply savory, slightly sweet, and utterly fragrant bowl of Simple French Onion Soup.
Step 4: Toast the Bread
While your soup simmers, slice the baguette and toast each slice until golden and crisp. This step guarantees that the bread holds up under all that glorious soup and cheese instead of turning soggy. Don’t skip it!
Step 5: Assemble and Broil
Ladle the piping hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each with a toasted baguette slice and a generous heap of shredded Gruyère cheese. Slide your bowls under the broiler for just 2–3 minutes: the cheese should be molten, bubbling, and just starting to brown on top. Pull them out carefully—they’ll be hot!—and prepare yourself for that first heavenly spoonful.
How to Serve Simple French Onion Soup
Garnishes
Classic Simple French Onion Soup needs nothing more than its cheesy crust, but a sprinkle of fresh thyme, chives, or even a little cracked black pepper adds a fresh pop of color and flavor that really elevates the whole experience.
Side Dishes
Keep things light and elegant with a crisp green salad tossed in vinaigrette, or go traditional with an extra baguette alongside for dipping. If you’re feeling indulgent, a glass of dry white wine (the same you used for the soup!) pairs beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For fun, try serving Simple French Onion Soup in small oven-safe mugs or ramekins for an appetizer course. If you don’t have broiler-safe bowls, melt the cheese onto the toasted baguette slices on a sheet pan, then float them on the hot soup for the same effect.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. It’s best to keep the bread and cheese separate and add them fresh when reheating so everything stays crisp and melty.
Freezing
You can freeze Simple French Onion Soup (minus the bread and cheese) for up to three months. Let it cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and label with the date. When you’re ready for a comforting bowl, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the soup in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming hot. Prepare toast and cheese fresh; ladle hot soup into bowls, top with toast and cheese, then broil until bubbly for that authentic, just-made experience.
FAQs
Can I make Simple French Onion Soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just swap the beef broth for a high-quality vegetable broth and use a vegetarian Worcestershire sauce or omit it altogether. You’ll still get deep, satisfying flavor.
What’s the best cheese for topping this soup?
Gruyère is the gold standard for its meltability and nutty flavor, but Swiss or even a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan work well in a pinch. Choose a cheese that bubbles and browns under the broiler.
Do I have to use wine?
No, the wine is optional. It adds a layer of depth, but you can deglaze with a bit of broth or even a splash of water to collect any delicious browned bits from your pot.
How thin should I slice the onions?
Aim for thin, even slices so they cook evenly. If you have a mandoline, use it for super consistent slices, but a sharp knife and a little patience work just as well.
Can I use any type Soup
Yellow onions are traditional and offer the perfect blend of sweet and savory once caramelized. White onions can be substituted, but red onions are usually too sharp for Simple French Onion Soup’s classic flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making your own Simple French Onion Soup, now’s the time to treat yourself. From the scent of caramelizing onions to the melty cheese on top, every step is a little triumph. Invite some friends over or savor it solo—I promise, one steamy bowl is all you need to feel transported to a cozy Parisian bistro.
Print
Simple French Onion Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop, Broiling
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and flavorful recipe for simple French onion soup topped with melted Gruyère cheese. This classic soup is a perfect blend of caramelized onions, rich broth, and cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
Onion Mixture:
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Soup Base:
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 6 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian version)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
For Serving:
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil. Add onions, salt, sugar, and pepper. Cook until caramelized.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in white wine, broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer.
- Prepare Toppings: Toast baguette slices. Preheat broiler.
- Assemble and Broil: Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with bread and cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve: Enjoy hot!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip Worcestershire sauce or use a vegetarian alternative.
- If you lack oven-safe bowls, melt the cheese on the toast separately before placing it on the soup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
