French Onion Soup: The Ultimate Homemade French Onion Soup Recipe
This classic French onion soup is rich, deeply savory, and made with slowly caramelized onions, beef broth, toasted baguette, and melted Gruyère cheese. A comforting French restaurant-style soup perfect for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
100 g unsalted butter
1.25 kg yellow onions, thinly sliced
3/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1.5 liters beef broth (low sodium preferred)
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
6–8 slices French baguette
100 g Gruyère or mozzarella cheese
Fresh parsley or thyme (optional)
Instructions
1. Melt butter in a heavy pot over medium heat.
2. Add sliced onions and stir to coat in butter.
3. Cook onions for 30 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until soft.
4. Increase heat to medium-high, add salt, and cook 20–30 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized.
5. Pour in white wine and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot.
6. Sprinkle flour over onions and cook for 1 minute.
7. Add beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme.
8. Cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Preheat broiler. Toast baguette slices lightly on both sides.
11. Top bread with cheese and broil until melted and golden.
12. Ladle soup into bowls and top with cheesy toast before serving.
Notes
Slow caramelizing the onions is essential for deep flavor—do not rush this step.
Use good-quality broth for best results.
Gruyère gives the most authentic flavor, but mozzarella or Swiss cheese also works.
For a richer soup, add a splash of extra wine at the end.
Soup base can be made 2–3 days ahead and reheated before serving.