Rich, Redolent French Onion Soup, a Culinary Staple
Delicious French Onion Soup Recipe:
Craving that classic French bistro starter? You're in luck! This delicious onion soup is cooked slowly with beef broth, topped with toasty baguette slices, and melty Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
What You'll Need:- A large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot- 6 ovenproof crocks or ramekins with a 1 1/2 cup capacity
Serves: 6 peopleDifficulty: EasyTotal Time: About 2 hours, including 25 minutes of active time
Ingredients:- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)- 2 pounds yellow onions, thinly sliced- 3 fresh thyme sprigs- 1 bay leaf- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour- 3/4 cup dry white wine- 4 cups beef broth- 1 1/2 cups water- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste- 6 (1/2-inch) slices from a baguette loaf, cut on the diagonal- 8 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded- 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:1. Melt the butter in your pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions, thyme, bay leaf, along with the measured salt. Cook the onions slowly until they're soft, highly caramelized, and deeply golden brown, about 45 minutes (adjust heat if needed to prevent burning).2. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Then add the wine and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the beef broth, water, and simmer gently for 30 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if required.3. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Toast the baguette slices until crispy and golden, taking about 15 minutes total.4. Set the oven broiler to high and arrange the crocks on a baking sheet. Ladle the soup evenly among the crocks, then top each with a baguette toast, shredded Gruyère, and grated Parmesan. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Enjoy immediately!
Explore More!
Here are some unique variations and twists on the traditional French Onion Soup recipe:
Vegetarian Version
Swap out the beef broth for vegetable stock to create a vegetarian-friendly version [1][3].
Cheesy Swaps
Experiment with different cheeses like provolone, Swiss, aged Beemster, or Parmesan instead of Gruyère [1].
Herbal Enhancement
Add fresh herbs such as chopped rosemary, oregano, or bay leaves to boost flavor [1].
Meaty Addition
Add cooked beef ribs for extra richness [1].
Creamy Soup
Stir in some heavy cream to create a creamier soup [5].
French Onion Soup Burgers
Top juicy burgers with caramelized onions and French Onion Soup flavors [4].
French Onion Meatloaf
Combine French Onion Soup flavors with a meatloaf dish featuring caramelized onions and melty cheese [2].
Slow Cooker Method
Prepare the soup in a slow cooker by caramelizing the onions first, then cooking on low for several hours [1].
Black Truffle Delight
For a luxurious twist, top the soup with black truffle cheese and shaved truffles [1].
Happy cooking!
- For those who are vegetarian, consider trying a nutritious variation of the French Onion Soup recipe by swapping out beef broth with vegetable stock [1].
- If you're a francophile seeking to experiment with different cheeses, consider using provolone, Swiss, aged Beemster, or Parmesan instead of the typical Gruyère cheese [1].
- To take your French Onion Soup recipe to the next level, consider using the creditline to explore unique serving options like turning it into a French Onion Soup Burger or French Onion Meatloaf [2][4].
