Rich and Simple French Onion Soup (2024)

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

40 mins

Total Time:

55 mins

Servings:

4

Jump to Nutrition Facts

There's nothing cozier than a warm bowl of freshly made French onion soup. With this top-rated recipe, you can make restaurant-worthy French onion soup in the comfort of your own kitchen. Plus, get our best ingredient tips and storage secrets.

What Is French Onion Soup?

French onion soup, or soupe à l'oignon gratinée, is a classic French dish made with caramelized onions and beef stock or broth. The soup is topped with bread and cheese, then gratinéed to rich, gooey perfection. It's traditionally served in a ramekin or a ceramic crock with a handle.

15 Easy and Impressive French Recipes You Can Make at Home

What Cheese Is Best For French Onion Soup?

French onion soup is traditionally topped with Gruyère, but other cheeses can be used. Most French onion soups are topped with three cheeses for maximum decadence.

This recipe calls for Parmesan, provolone, and Swiss. Other popular choices include Fontina and mozzarella. No matter which cheeses you choose, make sure not to skimp! French onion soup should be rich and indulgent.

What Are the Best Onions For French Onion Soup?

French onion soup is traditionally made with thinly sliced yellow onions. You can also make delicious soup with red or white onions – it just depends on your flavor preferences and what you have on hand.

How to Store French Onion Soup

Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container, but leave out the croutons (they taste best when they're fresh). Store it in the fridge for up to three or four days.

How to Reheat French Onion Soup

To reheat French onion soup, bring it to a boil on the stove. You can add more broiled bread and cheese if you want to go the extra mile, but you can use store-bought croutons for quick and easy results.

How to Freeze French Onion Soup

You can easily freeze French onion soup without the croutons: Just transfer the cooled soup to an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze up to three months. To make things easier on your future self, you can freeze it in serving-size portions – that way, you don't have to thaw and refreeze the whole batch.

To thaw frozen French onion soup, simply transfer it to the fridge and allow it to defrost overnight. In a rush? You can thaw it more quickly by submerging the sealed container in cool water.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This was so easy...perfect for after work," according to one Allrecipes community member. "I used Gruyere and Leerdhammer cheeses and they were a great complement."

"This soup was awesome," raves CANADIANCHICK73. "I served it at my dinner party. Everyone loved it and asked for the recipe. I added 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce and toasted the bread. It was excellent!"

"This soup was excellent! I did use different kinds of onions(yellow, white, and red), and my husband and I couldn't get enough," says IRED0103. "I can't wait to make it again."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 4 cups sliced onions

  • 5 cups beef broth

  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste

  • 4 slices French bread

  • 4 slices provolone cheese

  • 2 slices Swiss cheese, diced

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Rich and Simple French Onion Soup (1)

  2. Melt butter with olive oil in an 8-quart stock pot over medium heat. Add onions to butter and continually stir until tender and translucent. Do not brown the onions.

    Rich and Simple French Onion Soup (2)

  3. Add beef broth, sherry, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for 30 minutes.

    Rich and Simple French Onion Soup (3)

  4. Meanwhile, preheat the oven's broiler.

  5. Ladle soup into oven-safe serving bowls and place one slice of bread on top of each (bread may be broken into pieces if you prefer). Layer each slice of bread with a slice of provolone, 1/2 slice diced Swiss and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.

    Rich and Simple French Onion Soup (4)

  6. Place bowls on a cookie sheet and broil in the preheated oven until cheese bubbles and browns slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.

    Rich and Simple French Onion Soup (5)

  7. Serve hot and enjoy!

    Rich and Simple French Onion Soup (6)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

586Calories
44g Fat
28g Carbs
21g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe4
Calories586
% Daily Value *
Total Fat44g56%
Saturated Fat24g122%
Cholesterol98mg33%
Sodium1592mg69%
Total Carbohydrate28g10%
Dietary Fiber3g10%
Protein21g42%
Vitamin C9mg10%
Calcium452mg35%
Iron2mg13%
Potassium434mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Rich and Simple French Onion Soup (2024)

FAQs

How do you deepen the flavor of French onion soup? ›

A few sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf elevate the soup even more, but I take it a step further, adding a splash of fish sauce for complexity and depth—don't worry, it won't taste fishy—and a hit of cider vinegar to balance some of that oniony sweetness.

Why do you put baking soda in French onion soup? ›

The caramelized onions for this soup cook more quickly due to a pinch of baking soda but still have that deep, slow-cooked flavor. Topping the soup with hot, cheesy toasts prepared while the soup simmers, eliminates the need to bake the soup in specialty French onion soup bowls.

Is French onion soup bad for GERD? ›

Acid Reflux and Heartburn

French Onion Soup contains ingredients, such as onions and beef broth, that can trigger or worsen these digestive symptoms. Individuals who are prone to acid reflux or heartburn should exercise caution when consuming French Onion Soup.

Is French onion soup good for your stomach? ›

French Onion Soup is a classic soup recipe that contains a clear broth base, which can help rehydrate your body and simultaneously ease stomach aches. Not to mention, it pairs perfectly with a crusty baguette or a handful of crunchy crackers.

Why is my French onion soup so bland? ›

If you don't add enough salt, pepper, or other herbs and spices, the soup may taste bland.

What can I add to French onion soup to make it less sweet? ›

If the soup is too sweet, add the vinegar. If you would like a little more depth, add a splash of red wine. Preheat the broiler. Portion the soup into bowls, top with bread, cover with cheese, and broil until the cheese is melted and nicely browned.

What is the best wine to use for French onion soup? ›

Wine is optional to deglaze the pan and add flavour to the soup. I recommend a dry white or red wine, such as a good quality Pinot Grigio/Gris, Sauv Blanc, Sémillon, Chardonnay, Merlot or Pinot Noir. Generally, if you can't drink it, don't cook with it.

How do you thicken French onion soup? ›

The easiest way to thicken your French onion soup is with flour. You can also use cornstarch if you don't have any flour. Remember to never add the flour or cornstarch directly to the soup – otherwise you run the risk of it clumping.

Why do French people eat French onion soup? ›

The Onion Soup, a traditional and warming dish

It has even become a trendy dish that tourists are eager to try to experience French gastronomy. However, onion soup is in fact not part of French people's daily meals. It was originally meant to be eaten after a family reunion in the middle of the night to cure hangovers

What's the worst drink for acid reflux? ›

Coffee and tea – Caffeinated beverages aggravate acid reflux. Opt for teas without caffeine. Carbonated beverages – The bubbles expand in your stomach, creating more pressure and pain. Choose plain water or decaf iced tea.

Is boiled egg bad for acid reflux? ›

Try baked or boiled eggs. Egg whites are a good choice. However, stay away from egg yolks, which are high in fat and can cause reflux symptoms. Sources of healthy fats include avocados, walnuts, flaxseeds, olive oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil.

What is the fastest way to neutralize stomach acid? ›

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

Baking soda can quickly neutralize stomach acid and relieve indigestion, bloating, and gas after eating. For this remedy, add 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) of baking soda to 4 ounces (oz) of warm water and drink. Sodium bicarbonate is generally safe and nontoxic.

Which soup is best for belly fat? ›

5 Best Soups That Will Help To Burn Belly Fat
  1. Vegetable soup. Lean protein from chicken combined with a variety of vegetables can make a satisfying and low-calorie soup that can help you feel full and satisfied.
  2. Chicken and vegetable soup. ...
  3. Black bean soup. ...
  4. Lentil soup. ...
  5. Tomato soup.
Nov 4, 2023

What soup is easiest on the stomach? ›

Chicken soup is a staple for upset stomachs for a reason. It provides vitamins, protein and other nutrients, and it can help keep you hydrated. You don't need to use a lot of different ingredients to get the benefits either. This basic chicken soup recipe can help you feel better in no time.

How do you eat French onion soup etiquette? ›

With such a soup, a knife is your friend, not your enemy. Using both the soup spoon and the knife, push the baked cheese against the rim of the cup or bowl and cut it gently with the knife. Once you've broken the cheese barrier, you can use the knife again to nudge bits of cheese onto the spoon.

How do you get depth of flavor in soup? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

How do you doctor up canned French onion soup? ›

To elevate the canned version, quickly saute fresh onions, instead. Cook the thinly sliced onions in butter until they start to soften and take on a golden brown color, which indicates their sweet taste. The process only takes a few minutes and infuses French onion soup with a rich, decadent taste.

How do you get the most Flavour out of onions? ›

Submerge Them in Cold Water

Soak them for at least 15 minutes (longer is even more beneficial), properly drain, and eat away! Submerging them in cold water takes away that intense, sharp bite from the raw onion. The cold water helps the enzyme that causes onions to have their pungent flavor to leach out.

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