Description
This Rich and Simple French Onion Soup recipe delivers the perfect blend of deeply caramelized onions, savory beef broth, and gooey melted cheeses atop crusty French bread. Easy to prepare and wonderfully comforting, it’s a classic French dish that outshines restaurant versions with its balance of flavors and straightforward cooking process.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups sliced onions
- 5 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 4 slices French bread
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 2 slices Swiss cheese, diced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients needed for the soup and toppings to have everything ready before starting.
- Sauté Onions: Melt the unsalted butter with olive oil in an 8-quart stock pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook them while stirring continually until they become tender and translucent without browning. This step is crucial to develop the soup’s signature sweet onion flavor.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth, add the dry sherry, and sprinkle in the dried thyme. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper according to your taste. Bring to a simmer and let the soup cook gently for 30 minutes to blend and deepen the flavors.
- Preheat Broiler: While the soup simmers, preheat your oven’s broiler to prepare for melting the cheese toppings later.
- Assemble Soup Bowls: Ladle the hot onion soup into oven-safe serving bowls. Place a slice of French bread on top of each bowl. If preferred, break the bread into smaller pieces so it covers the soup surface more evenly. Next, layer each bread slice with one slice of provolone cheese, half a slice of diced Swiss cheese, and sprinkle with about one tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese per bowl.
- Broil Cheese Topping: Arrange the prepared bowls on a rimmed sheet pan to safely transfer in and out of the oven. Place under the preheated broiler until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Carefully remove the bowls from the oven, serve hot, and enjoy this classic, comforting French onion soup at home.
Notes
- Do not brown the onions; aim for translucent and tender to keep the soup’s flavor balanced and not bitter.
- Using oven-safe bowls is essential for broiling the cheese topping safely in the same dish.
- Adjust salt and pepper seasoning after simmering, taste before serving.
- Dry sherry adds depth but can be omitted or replaced with a splash of white wine or extra broth if preferred.
- If you want a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
- Be sure to watch the broiler closely as cheese can burn quickly.
