Classic French Onion Soup with slow-cooked caramelized sweet onions, crisp baked crostini, and plenty of smooth melting Gruyère Cheese. This is the ultimate comfort soup, quick and easy to make.
This is one of my husband’s favorite recipes. If you love onions, then this mouthwatering soup is a must-make. We make this tasty soup at least once a month and love every spoonful. It is such an easy recipe that even the novice chef can handle it.
I love French onion soup. There is something dreamy about all those onions, slow-cooked to complete perfection, then simmered in broth and spice and topped with crostini and rich cheese! Life does not get much better than this.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted. Just adjust any added seasoning accordingly.
- Onions: Sweet yellow onion or Vidalia onions
- Thyme: I use dried thyme in the soup and then sprinkle with chopped fresh thyme.
- Wine: You can use dry red or dry white wine. Red adds a more robust flavor, and white is more subtle. If you have a personal preference, go with that.
- Broth: You can use all beef broth for a richer, fuller flavor or if it is just more convenient. I always have beef and chicken broth in the house, so I usually use a combination for this recipe.
- Crostini: I find they work best for this recipe. They hold up long enough to provide structure and texture without coming off as soggy bread. Alternatively, you can simply toast or broil baguette slices until golden brown.
- Gruyere cheese: Gruyere is a smooth melting type of Swiss Cheese with fewer and smaller eyes. If it is not available, you can substitute Swiss or Jarlsberg.
How to make French Onion Soup
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Start by heating a little butter and olive oil in a Dutch Oven or stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for about 45 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until they turn rich golden brown. If they are browning too fast, you may need to reduce the heat.
There is a fine line between stirring too much and not stirring enough. The key is to stir the onions enough to keep them from burning but not so much that they do not brown. This process is known as caramelizing the onions.
Once browned, stir in the garlic and dried thyme. Add the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan to remove the browned bits—this technique is known as deglazing. Now, let the wine and onions simmer for a few minutes.
Add the beef broth, chicken broth, Worcestershire Sauce, and bay leaf, and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Spoon the soup into oven-proof bowls, add several crostini to the top, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Set them on a baking sheet and place them under the broiler for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Plan to serve promptly.
Preparation Tips
- Caramelized onions are the star of this show, so don’t cut the process short.
- Broilers are very unpredictable. Stay close by and monitor well.
- Leftover soup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Waiting to add the crostini and cheese is best until you reheat.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve a salad with many textures and flavors, like mandarin orange salad with orange vinaigrette or pear salad with candied walnuts and mixed greens. For a heartier meal, try chicken cordon bleu or roasted pork loin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gruyère Cheese is the most flavorful and popular cheese for French Onion Soup. Gruyère is a smooth melting type of Swiss Cheese with fewer and smaller eyes. If it is not available, you can substitute Swiss or Jarlsberg.
Yes, prepare the onion broth mixture and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For serving, reheat the mixture on the stovetop over low heat or microwave at reduced power.
Spoon the soup into oven-proof bowls, add several crostini to the top, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Set them on a baking sheet and place them under the broiler for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Plan to serve promptly.
More Soup Recipes
Homemade French Onion Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large yellow onions sliced in half and cut from pole to pole in no greater than ¼ inch slices
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ cup dry white or red wine see notes
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth or beef stock
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Crostinis or large croutons
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a Dutch Oven or stock pot over medium to medium/low heat. Add the onions and cook for about 45 minutes, stirring every few minutes until they are a rich golden brown. If the onions are browning too fast reduce the heat.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the garlic and thyme. Cook for 1 minute while stirring. Add the wine, and using a spoon or spatula, try to remove as much of the brown glazing from the bottom of the pan as possible. Allow the wine to simmer with the onions for about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, beef broth, Worcestershire Sauce, and bay leaf. Simmer for 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- Add the soup to oven-safe bowls or cups. Top with crostini and grated cheese. Slip under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- Caramelized onions are the star of this show, so don’t cut the process short.
- Broilers are very unpredictable. Stay close by and monitor well.
- Leftover soup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Waiting to add the crostini and cheese is best until you reheat.
Nutrition
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Michelle
This was so delicious, I need to make it again soon. It is the perfect dish to enjoy when coming in from the colder outside weather and enjoying it by the fireplace.
Melinda W
At this time of the year with such a cold chill a good bowl of soup is just what we needed! This was so tasty. I used your crostini recipe and I used gruyere cheese and it was AMAZING!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Melinda! I am so happy that you liked it.
Trish
Always a classic recipe! So rich and tasty! Thanks for sharing
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome!
Stephanie
I’m always intimidated ordering french onion soup and I guess it’s time for me to try and make one at home. Thanks for the quick and easy recipe!
Kat
This French onion soup recipe was so comforting! I loved how simple and flavorful it was. It’s the perfect dish for cozy evenings at home with my hubby!
Harper
This French onion soup recipe was delicious. It is one of my favorites! I always find the best recipes from your posts. Thanks for sharing.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Harper!
Yara
French onion soup is one of my favorites. This recipe is a real winter warmer! Thanks for the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Yara!
Melanie E
I’ve never tried French onion soup but I know my friend loves it. I need to try making this for her.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Melanie! I hope she enjoys it as much as we do!
Janey H
French onion soup is a classic – and this recipe is delicious! We all loved it. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Janey!
Lynn
Both the hubs and I love a good French onion soup and this one was perfect. We have a small crowd coming on Christmas Eve and it is going on the menu!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lynn! I am glad that you liked it.
Sammie
As much as I love homemade soup, the one and only time I have made french onion soup was when I was at school in a cookery lesson. I need to make this recipe especially on a day like today
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sammie! Enjoy!
Olivia
This recipe was delicious and comforting! French onion soup is such a classic, and the step-by-step instructions made it so easy to follow. Thanks for the recipe, Beth!
Emily
French onion is one of my favorite types of soup! This recipe was flavorful, rich, and perfectly balanced. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Emily!
Cynthia
I love how rich this is, but it’s so easy to make, too! I make this onion soup all winter long, and it is so good. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Cynthia!
Allisa
This is SOOOO tasty! It is one of my favorite recipes that my husband and I make often. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Allisa!
Lisa
I love French onion soup and haven’t made it in years. you have inspired me to make it again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lisa! Enjoy!