French Onion Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Comfort wraps around you like a warm embrace with this classic French onion soup recipe that delivers rich, deeply caramelized flavors.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this simple yet elegant dish that turns humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Deeply golden onions slowly simmer and develop a complex sweetness that defines authentic French cuisine.

Each spoonful carries layers of depth from slow-cooked onions and a perfectly seasoned broth.

Sharp gruyère cheese melts luxuriously across the top, creating a golden crust that crackles with each serving.

The soup transforms ordinary ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal you can easily create at home.

Discover why this timeless recipe continues to delight food lovers everywhere.

Why This French Onion Soup Is a Favorite

• This French onion soup offers pure culinary magic that anyone can master.
• Despite looking complicated, the recipe requires minimal cooking skills and basic kitchen tools, making it accessible for home cooks of all levels.
• Simple pantry staples like onions, broth, and cheese magically combine into a restaurant-quality dish that feels incredibly luxurious and sophisticated.
• Perfect for cozy family dinners, impressive dinner parties, or a soul-warming solo meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

What You’ll Need for French Onion Soup

• Onions: Sweet and savory vegetables that form the heart of this classic French soup.
• Beef Broth: Rich liquid that provides the deep, comforting base of the soup.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Combination of fats that help caramelize the onions and add rich flavor.

• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Classic seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the soup.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Tangy condiment that adds depth and complexity to the broth.

• Croutons, Parmesan Cheese, Provolone Cheese: Crispy and melty toppings that create a delicious golden crust.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds a fresh garnish and color to the finished soup.

Easy Steps for French Onion Soup

Step 1: Caramelize Onions

Heat olive oil and butter in a medium pot.

Add sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally.

Let onions soften and turn deep golden brown, which takes about 25-30 minutes.

If onions start sticking, add a splash of water to prevent burning.

The onions will shrink and develop a rich, sweet flavor.

Step 2: Season and Add Broth

Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder over caramelized onions.

Stir to coat evenly.

Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.

Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.

Cover and cook for 10 minutes to blend flavors thoroughly.

Step 3: Prepare for Broiling

Preheat broiler and position oven rack at top-middle.

Arrange six broiler-safe bowls on a baking sheet.

Alternative option: use oven-safe mugs or a large baking dish if needed.

Step 4: Top and Broil

Ladle soup into prepared bowls.

• Croutons
• Grated parmesan
• Provolone slice

Place baking sheet under broiler.

Watch carefully as cheese bubbles and browns, which takes 2-3 minutes.

Remove when cheese is melted and golden.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Allow bowls to cool slightly.

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for color and fresh flavor.

Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, comforting soup.

Tips for Caramelized, Rich Flavor

• Take your time cooking onions on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and develop rich, deep golden-brown color that creates incredible flavor foundation.
• Use water or splash of broth to prevent onions from sticking and burning, which helps release delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot for maximum taste.
• Watch broiler closely when melting cheese to achieve perfect golden-brown top without burning – 2-3 minutes is the sweet spot for bubbling, beautifully browned cheese.
• If soup seems too thick, add extra broth to reach desired texture; if too thin, let it simmer uncovered to reduce and concentrate flavors naturally.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley just before serving to add bright color and fresh flavor that cuts through the richness of caramelized onions and melted cheese.

Storing and Warming French Onion Soup

• Store the soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation and maintain flavor quality.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing with cheese topping.
• Transfer soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm. Top with fresh cheese before serving.
• Pour soup into a pot, heat over medium-low temperature. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of broth if soup seems too thick. Once steaming, transfer to bowls and add fresh cheese topping.

What to Serve with Onion Soup

• Pair Hearty Red Wine: Select a bold, full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to complement the rich, caramelized onion flavors and match the soup's deep umami profile.
• Serve Crusty Artisan Bread: Choose a rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the savory broth, providing a delightful textural contrast and enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Create Crisp Green Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the soup's richness, offering a refreshing palate cleanser between bites of the intense, cheesy French onion soup.
• Match Aged Gruyère Cheese: Offer additional aged Gruyère on the side, allowing guests to sprinkle extra cheese and intensify the nutty, complex flavor profile of the classic French dish.

Onion Soup Twists and Extras

• Vegetarian Onion Soup: Replace beef broth with vegetable broth for a meat-free version. Use plant-based butter and add mushroom powder for deeper umami flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional croutons with gluten-free bread cubes or almond flour croutons. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Adaptation: Use low-sodium beef broth and reduce added salt. Enhance flavor with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary instead of extra seasoning.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives. Use olive oil exclusively instead of butter for a completely dairy-free experience.

FAQs

• Why do onions need to caramelize for so long?

Caramelizing onions slowly develops their natural sugars, creating a deep, rich, sweet flavor that forms the essential base of French onion soup. Low and slow cooking allows the onions to break down and turn golden brown without burning.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Traditionally, Gruyère cheese is used in classic French onion soup, but provolone and parmesan work well too. You can experiment with different cheeses like Swiss or Comté that melt nicely and complement the caramelized onion flavor.

• Is this soup vegetarian-friendly?

No, this recipe uses beef broth which makes it non-vegetarian. To make a vegetarian version, you’ll need to substitute beef broth with vegetable broth while keeping all other ingredients the same.

• How can I prevent the onions from burning while caramelizing?

Stir the onions occasionally and maintain medium-low heat. If they start sticking, add a small splash of water to deglaze the pan and prevent burning. Patience is key – caramelizing takes time but creates incredible depth of flavor.

Easy French Onion Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 43 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Silky French onion soup brings comfort and warmth from classic French kitchens, melding caramelized onions with rich beef broth and melted cheese. Crusty bread and bubbling gruyère create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (approximately 4 cups or 960 ml)
• 32 ounces (960 g) beef broth

Cooking Fats and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce

Cheese and Garnish:

• 30–35 homemade croutons, or store-bought
• 1/4 cup (25 g) grated parmesan cheese
• 6 slices provolone cheese
• Parsley, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a medium pot over medium temperature. Add sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring periodically. Allow onions to soften and caramelize gradually, which requires approximately 25-30 minutes. Onions will transform into a deep golden brown color, releasing an enticing aroma. If onions begin sticking, add a small splash of water to prevent burning.
2. When onions reach a rich caramel tone, incorporate salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Thoroughly coat onions with seasonings. Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce into the pot. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let ingredients meld together for 10 minutes.
3. Prepare broiler by preheating and positioning rack to top-middle position. Arrange six broiler-safe bowls on a baking sheet. Alternatively, use large baking dish if lacking individual serving vessels.
4. Distribute soup evenly into prepared bowls. Layer croutons across the surface of each portion. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese and top with a slice of provolone. Position baking sheet under broiler, monitoring closely for 2-3 minutes until cheese bubbles and turns golden brown.
5. Allow bowls to cool momentarily after removing from broiler. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish and added flavor complexity. Serve immediately while cheese remains melted and soup steaming hot.

Notes

• Caramelize onions slowly to develop deep, rich flavor without burning them by maintaining medium-low heat and stirring occasionally.
• Use a combination of butter and olive oil for enhanced taste and preventing butter from burning during the long cooking process.
• Adapt the recipe for dietary needs by replacing beef broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version and using gluten-free bread for croutons.
• Select sweet onions like Vidalia for a naturally sweeter soup, or mix different onion varieties to create a more complex flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg