French Onion Soup Recipe
Description: Ladling a spoonful of caramelized French onion soup in a rich broth with crispy toast and cheese is something we can’t get enough of. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, you will be impressed with the results. Watch the video tutorial and learn how easy it is to recreate this restaurant-quality French onion soup at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Shorter Cooking Time: Adding sugar significantly shortens the time it takes to caramelize the onions, making them sweeter and perfectly caramelized.
- Make Ahead: You can make this in advance and wow your guests with a gooey, cheesy soup without the onions “sweating.”
- Balanced Flavors: This recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing toast
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 pounds yellow onions (about 6 large onions), halved, peeled, and thinly sliced with seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 cup dry sherry wine (or use dry vermouth or dry white wine)
- 8 cups broth or beef stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for garnish (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or to taste), divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 12 slices baguette
- 8 ounces Gruyere cheese, 1 1/2 cups chopped, divided
Instructions:
- Caramelize Onions:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply caramelized.
- Add Aromatics:
- Stir in chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze with Sherry:
- Pour in dry sherry wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any flavorful bits.
- Simmer with Broth:
- Add beef broth, bay leaf, fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Simmer for at least 20-30 minutes to meld flavors.
- Prepare Toast:
- Meanwhile, brush baguette slices with olive oil and toast until golden brown.
- Assemble and Serve:
- Preheat oven broiler. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, place a slice of toasted baguette on top, and sprinkle with Gruyere cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Enjoy:
- Garnish with fresh thyme and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious homemade French Onion Soup!