Easy and Rich French Onion Soup
A rich and comforting French onion soup made with deeply caramelized onions, a savory broth, toasted bread, and melted Gruyère cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional, to help caramelize onions
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ cup dry white wine or sherry
- 3 cups beef broth or vegetable broth for vegetarian
- 4 slices baguette or French bread
- ½ cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: In a large pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and stir well. Cook for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply golden brown.
- Add the garlic and spices: Stir in the garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pot: Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Simmer the soup: Add the beef broth and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 20-30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Prepare the bread: While the soup is simmering, toast the baguette slices under the broiler until lightly golden.
- Assemble and broil: Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a slice of toasted bread on top and sprinkle generously with Gruyère cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve and enjoy: Let the soup cool slightly, then serve hot with extra cheese on the side!