French Onion Soup

Classic caramelized onion soup topped with toasted baguette and bubbling gruyere. This is pure comfort in a bowl. Yes, the onions take a while to caramelize properly — that’s where all the flavor comes from, so don’t rush it. Trust the process and you will be rewarded.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Deep, rich caramelized onion flavor that is absolutely worth it
• That melted gruyere on top is everything
• Feels so fancy but the ingredients are super simple
• Perfect for a cold night or a cozy weekend dinner

Ingredients

• onions
• beef broth
• butter
• thyme
• white wine
• baguette
• gruyere cheese

How to Make It

The secret to great French onion soup is patience with the onions. Low and slow is the way to go — at least 45 minutes of caramelizing for that deep, sweet, jammy flavor. Everything else comes together quickly after that.

Follow the recipe card below for the full step-by-step instructions. I’ve broken it all down so it’s super easy to follow.

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Here are some tools that make this soup even better:

• Oven-Safe Soup Crocks – you need these to get that perfect broiled cheese top
• Dutch Oven – ideal for slowly caramelizing a big batch of onions

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French Onion Soup

Deeply caramelized onions in rich beef broth topped with toasted bread and melted Gruyere.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Soup

Cuisine: French

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 large onions, thinly sliced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• 4 slices baguette, toasted
• 1.5 cups Gruyere, shredded

Method

 

1. Cook the onions in butter with the sugar over medium-low, stirring often, until deep golden, about 35 minutes.
2. Deglaze with the wine, then add the broth and thyme. Simmer 15 minutes.
3. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls.
4. Float a toasted baguette slice on each and pile on the Gruyere.
5. Broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden, then serve hot.

Notes

Patience with the onions is everything, do not rush the caramelizing. Use oven-safe bowls for the broiler step.

French Onion Soup

Deeply caramelized onions in rich broth topped with toasted bread and cheese.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4 bowls

Course: Soup

Cuisine: French

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 yellow onions sliced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 clove garlic minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 6 cup beef broth
• 4 slice baguette toasted
• 1.5 cup Gruyere cheese shredded

Method

 

1. Cook the onions and sugar in butter over medium low heat about 40 minutes until caramelized.
2. Add the garlic and thyme, then the wine to deglaze.
3. Add the broth and simmer 15 minutes.
4. Ladle into oven safe bowls and top with baguette and Gruyere.
5. Broil until bubbly and golden.
6. Serve hot.

Notes

Take your time caramelizing the onions.