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A steaming bowl of French onion soup with melted cheese and croutons

French Onion Soup

This classic French Onion Soup features deeply caramelized onions in a rich beef broth, topped with crusty bread and melted Gruyère cheese. It's a comforting dish perfect for a chilly evening.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 large yellow onions
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup dry sherry
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 loaft baguette sliced 1-inch thick and toasted
  • 8 oz Gruyère cheese shredded
Seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • Large Dutch Oven
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Ladle
  • Oven-Safe Bowls

Method
 

Caramelize Onions
  1. Thinly slice the yellow onions and melt butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, sugar, and salt, then cook for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally until deep golden brown.
Deglaze and Simmer
  1. Stir in minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant, then add dry sherry and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Pour in beef broth, fresh thyme, and a bay leaf, bringing the soup to a simmer for 20 minutes.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and remove the bay leaf from the soup. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, place a slice of toasted baguette on top of each, and cover with shredded Gruyère cheese.
  2. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, then serve immediately.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with a high-quality vegetable broth.