Delicious French Onion Soup Recipe

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.

In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and salt. Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, just until the onions are softened and starting to release moisture.

Uncover, and continue cooking, stirring, every few minutes, until deeply golden brown and caramelized, about 1 hour. (The onions will stick some, but if they appear to be burning, reduce the heat or add a tablespoon of water when stirring. Towards the end of the cooking time, you may need to stir every minute or so to keep them from burning.)

Once the onions are caramelized, stir in the garlic and flour. Cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the white wine and scrape the bottom of the pot with your spoon to deglaze. Add the warm stock, thyme, bay leaf, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Continue simmering for 20 minutes or until desired consistency. Stir in the brandy and simmer for a few more minutes. Taste and add more salt, if needed. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf.

When ready to serve, preheat the oven to High broil (500F). Divide the soup into broiler-proof serving bowls. Top each with a slice or two of bread and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of cheese.

Broil for 2 minutes or until the cheese is very bubbly and just starting to brown. Serve immediately.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens