French Onion Soup Recipe That Tastes Better Than Restaurants

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: chicken broth

Vegetable broth is lower in calories and suitable for vegetarians.

gruyère cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Part-skim mozzarella has fewer calories, while cheddar is often less expensive.

Melt butter and olive oil in a heavy bottom pot over medium heat.

Add sliced onions and season with a generous amount of salt.

Once onions start to soften and release water, reduce heat to medium low.

Gently cook onions until they turn golden brown, about 40 to 50 minutes.

Add white wine to deglaze the pan and scrape up the bottom.

Add Worcestershire sauce (or balsamic vinegar) for color and umami flavor.

Mix in chicken bouillon paste and add about 4 and 1/2 to 5 cups of water to create broth.

Add fresh sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf, then bring to a gentle simmer.

Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes to meld flavors.

Adjust thickness with flour if desired, adding it after the wine and Worcestershire sauce step and cooking for 2 to 3 minutes.

Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer soup into oven-safe ceramic bowls.

Toast baguette slices under the broiler until golden brown.

Top toasted baguette with a generous amount of gruyère cheese.

Place bowls under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serve hot.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens