Save A classic, deeply flavorful French onion soup made easy and budget-friendly with just four simple ingredients—perfect for a comforting meal that tastes far more decadent than its humble cost.
I first served this to my family on a chilly evening and it quickly became a favorite comfort food.
Ingredients
- Yellow onions: 1.5 kg, thinly sliced
- Unsalted butter: 60 g
- Vegetable broth: 2 liters (or beef broth for a richer flavor)
- Baguette: 6 slices, preferably day-old, cut 2 cm thick
- Gruyère cheese: 120 g, grated
Instructions
- Melt butter:
- Melt the butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and caramelized, about 30&35 minutes.
- Simmer broth:
- Pour in the broth, scraping any browned bits from the pot. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook gently for another 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat broiler:
- Preheat the oven broiler. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls.
- Top bowls:
- Top each bowl with a slice of baguette and a generous handful of grated Gruyère.
- Broil cheese:
- Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted and golden, 2&4 minutes.
- Serve hot:
- Serve hot, being careful with the hot bowls.
Save This soup always brings my family together, sparking warm memories with every bowl shared.
Required Tools
Large heavy-bottomed pot, wooden spoon, oven-safe soup bowls, baking sheet, cheese grater, sharp knife
Allergen Information
Contains milk (butter, cheese), gluten (baguette); for gluten-free, use gluten-free bread; always check broth and cheese labels for hidden allergens
Nutritional Information
Calories: 320; Total Fat: 14 g; Carbohydrates: 37 g; Protein: 12 g per serving
Save This simple recipe delivers classic French onion soup perfection every time.
Recipe Help
- → How do you achieve deeply caramelized onions?
Cook thinly sliced onions slowly over medium heat with butter, stirring frequently for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and sweet.
- → Can I substitute the Gruyère cheese?
Emmental or Swiss cheese work well as alternatives, providing similar melt and flavor profiles.
- → What type of bread is best for topping?
Day-old baguette sliced about 2 cm thick crisps nicely under the broiler while soaking up the broth's flavor.
- → Is vegetable broth suitable for a richer taste?
Beef broth adds more depth, but vegetable broth keeps it flavorful and vegetarian-friendly.
- → How can this soup be made vegan?
Use vegan butter and plant-based cheese while keeping the caramelization and broth steps the same.