French Onion Soup Recipe: Rich, Savory, and Comforting
A timeless French classic with deeply caramelized onions, beef broth, and melted Gruyère. This hearty, pork- and alcohol-free soup features a golden cheese crust and toasted baguette for a comforting, shareable dish.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 400kcal
Ingredients
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups beef broth (use halal-certified if required)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, substitute with additional broth)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 1.5 cups grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Melt butter with olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 30-40 minutes until deep golden, stirring frequently. Add sugar if using.
- Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in white wine (or broth) and simmer 2-3 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
- Add broth, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf. Boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered 20-30 minutes.
- Toast baguette slices while soup simmers.
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top with bread, cheese, and broil 3-5 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Notes
Use halal-certified broth if required. Substitute white wine with additional broth for an alcohol-free version. For a milder flavor, use Swiss cheese instead of Gruyère. Broil carefully to avoid burning the cheese. Soup can be refrigerated for 2-3 days.