Recipe For French Onion Soup

Mak Erot

3 min read

·

Apr 02, 2025

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A Recipe for Classic French Onion Soup: Simple Steps to Rich Flavor

French onion soup, with its deeply caramelized onions and rich broth, is a culinary classic. This recipe guides you through making this comforting dish at home, focusing on simple steps to achieve rich flavor. Let's dive in!

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe yields about 6 servings of delicious French onion soup. Adjust accordingly for more or fewer guests.

• For the Soup:

  • 3 pounds yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 6 large onions)
  • 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup dry sherry or white wine (optional, but adds depth)
  • 8 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional)

• For the Topping:

  • 6 slices baguette, toasted
  • 6 slices Gruyere cheese (or Swiss cheese)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Caramelizing the Onions: The Key to Great French Onion Soup

The magic of French onion soup lies in the perfectly caramelized onions. This process takes time, but it's worth the effort!

1. Melt the butter: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the onions: Add the sliced onions and sugar to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, about 10-15 minutes. Don't rush this step; low and slow is key.
3. Caramelize the onions: Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply golden brown and caramelized, about 45-60 minutes. Be patient! The longer you cook them, the more intense the flavor. If they start to stick to the bottom, add a tablespoon or two of water or broth.
4. Season and deglaze: Season with salt and pepper. If using sherry or white wine, pour it into the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for a minute or two to evaporate some of the alcohol.

Building the Soup:

1. Add the broth and seasonings: Pour in the beef broth, water, bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary (if using). Bring the soup to a simmer.
2. Simmer the soup: Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. The longer it simmers, the better it tastes.

Assembling and Serving:

1. Preheat your broiler: Preheat your broiler to high.
2. Toast the baguette: Toast the baguette slices until golden brown.
3. Assemble the soup: Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted baguette and a slice of Gruyere cheese.
4. Broil until bubbly: Broil the bowls for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
5. Serve immediately: Serve the soup hot and enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect French Onion Soup:

• Use a good quality beef broth: The broth is the foundation of the soup, so don't skimp on it.
• Don't rush the caramelization: Patience is key to achieving perfectly caramelized onions.
• Adjust seasonings to your taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of salt, pepper, and herbs to your liking.
• Experiment with different cheeses: While Gruyere is traditional, other cheeses like Swiss or Fontina also work well.

This detailed recipe provides a strong foundation to enhance your cooking skills and create a truly memorable French onion soup. Remember to practice and experiment to find what works best for you! Enjoy!