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7 Easy French Onion Soup Recipes to Warm Your Soul

There’s something undeniably comforting about a bowl of French onion soup. The rich, savory broth and caramelized onions, topped with gooey melted cheese and crispy croutons, are the perfect antidote to a chilly day. While it might seem like a dish best enjoyed at a fancy bistro, making French onion soup at home is easier than you might think. In this article, we’ll walk you through seven easy French onion soup recipes that will warm your soul and make you feel like a culinary maestro.

The Allure of French Onion Soup:French onion soup holds a special place in the hearts of many for a few simple reasons:

Simplicity:With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a dish that’s both humble and luxurious.

Comfort:It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds, making it a favorite during cold winter evenings.

Versatility:You can keep it classic or get creative with your variations, and it’s still going to be delicious.

Let’s dive into these easy recipes that bring the soul-soothing warmth of French onion soup to your home kitchen.

Classic French Onion Soup

Ingredients

4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Baguette slices and shredded Gruyère cheese for topping

Directions

In a large pot, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become caramelized and golden brown, about 30-40 minutes.

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Add the beef broth, water, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven’s broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top each with a slice of baguette, and a generous sprinkle of Gruyère cheese.

Place the bowls under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.

Enjoy the classic French onion soup with its rich, flavorful broth and that perfect cheese pull.

Instructions

Sauté Onions:In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they become caramelized and golden brown. This takes about 30-40 minutes.

Add Garlic and Sugar:Stir in the minced garlic and sugar. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.

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Deglaze with Wine:Pour in the white wine, if using, and deglaze the pot by scraping up any brown bits from the bottom.

Add Broth:Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Prepare Croutons:Toast baguette slices in the oven until they are golden.

Serve:Ladle the hot soup into bowls, top each with a slice of baguette, and sprinkle grated Gruyère cheese over it. Place the bowls under a broiler until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

Ingredients

4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Baguette slices and shredded Swiss cheese for topping

Directions

Follow the same steps as the classic recipe for caramelizing the onions, adding the garlic, and deglazing with white wine.

Add the vegetable broth, water, thyme, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven’s broiler, ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a slice of baguette, and Swiss cheese.

Broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.

This vegetarian version maintains all the comforting flavors of French onion soup while catering to a meat-free diet.

Instructions

Sauté Onions:Follow the same steps as in Classic French Onion Soup, but use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a vegetarian version.

Serve:Proceed with the same steps for serving as in Classic French Onion Soup.

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

Ingredients

4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Baguette slices and shredded Swiss cheese for topping

Directions

In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until caramelized, about 30-40 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

Transfer the onion mixture to your slow cooker. Add the beef broth, water, white wine, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Preheat the oven’s broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a slice of baguette, and Swiss cheese.

Broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.

This slow cooker version makes it even easier to enjoy French onion soup without spending hours in the kitchen.

Instructions

Sauté Onions:Follow the same steps as in Classic French Onion Soup for sautéing the onions and garlic.

Transfer to Slow Cooker:Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to a slow cooker. Add beef broth and wine, if using. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Prepare Croutons:Toast baguette slices and proceed with the same steps for serving as in Classic French Onion Soup.

French Onion Soup with Gruyère Croutons

Ingredients

4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Baguette slices
Shredded Gruyère cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Directions

Follow the same steps as the classic recipe for caramelizing the onions, adding the garlic, and deglazing with white wine.

Add the beef broth, water, thyme, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 30 minutes.

While the soup is simmering, spread the softened butter over the baguette slices and toast them in the oven until they’re golden and crispy.

Preheat the oven’s broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a slice of toasted baguette, and a generous sprinkle of Gruyère cheese.

Broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.

The Gruyère croutons add a delightful, cheesy crunch to your French onion soup.

Instructions

Sauté Onions:

Follow the same steps as in Classic French Onion Soup for sautéing the onions and garlic.

Add Broth:

Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Prepare Gruyère Croutons:Instead of the traditional Gruyère cheese topping, create Gruyère croutons. Layer slices of baguette with Gruyère cheese and toast them in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serve:Ladle the hot soup into bowls and float the Gruyère croutons on top.

French Onion Soup with a Twist

Ingredients

4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Baguette slices and shredded Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions

Caramelize the onions and add garlic, following the classic recipe.

Add the beef broth, water, white wine, thyme, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven’s broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a slice of baguette, and Parmesan cheese.

Broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.

This twist on the classic recipe brings the sharp, salty goodness of

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Parmesan cheese to your French onion soup.

Instructions

Sauté Onions:Follow the same steps as in Classic French Onion Soup for sautéing the onions and garlic.

Add Broth:Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Prepare Swiss Cheese Croutons:Instead of Gruyère cheese, use Swiss cheese. Layer slices of baguette with Swiss cheese and toast them in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serve:Ladle the hot soup into bowls and float the Swiss cheese croutons on top.

Quick French Onion Soup for Busy Days

Ingredients

4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Baguette slices and shredded Gruyère cheese for topping

Directions

In a large pot, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they’re softened and slightly caramelized, about 20 minutes.

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add the beef broth, water, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven’s broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a slice of baguette, and Gruyère cheese.

Broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.

This quick version is perfect for when you want the taste of French onion soup without the wait.

Instructions

Sauté Onions: Follow the same steps as in Classic French Onion Soup for sautéing the onions and garlic.

Add Broth: Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Prepare Quick Gruyère Croutons: Instead of traditional croutons, layer slices of baguette with Gruyère cheese and toast them in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and float the Gruyère croutons on top.

Lighter French Onion Soup

Ingredients

4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 cups water
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Whole-grain baguette slices and shredded Swiss cheese for topping

Directions

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened and slightly caramelized, about 20 minutes.

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add the beef broth, water, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven’s broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a slice of whole-grain baguette, and Swiss cheese.

Broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.

This lighter version of French onion soup keeps the flavors intact while being kind to your waistline.

Instructions

Sauté Onions:Follow the same steps as in Classic French Onion Soup for sautéing the onions and garlic.

Add Low-Sodium Broth:Use low-sodium beef broth to reduce sodium content. Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Prepare Swiss Cheese Croutons:Instead of Gruyère cheese, use Swiss cheese. Layer slices of baguette with Swiss cheese and toast them in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serve:Ladle the hot soup into bowls and float the Swiss cheese croutons on top.

These detailed instructions for all seven French Onion Soup recipes ensure a successful cooking experience.

Tips and Tricks

Before you embark on your French onion soup journey, here are some tips to make the process even smoother:

Sharp Knives:Use sharp knives to thinly slice the onions. It will make the caramelization process quicker and easier.

Caramelization:Don’t rush the onion caramelization. It’s what gives the soup its deep, rich flavor.

Wine Choice:If you’re not a fan of wine, you can substitute it with extra broth.

Cheese Choices:Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese to top your soup. Each variety adds a unique touch.

Low-Sodium Broth:If you’re watching your salt intake, opt for low-sodium beef or vegetable broth.

Freezing:French onion soup freezes well. Make a big batch and store it for later.

Serving Suggestions

French onion soup is delightful on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

Side Salad:Pair your soup with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.

Sliced Baguette:Serve extra slices of toasted baguette on the side for dipping.

Herbs:Garnish your soup with fresh herbs like thyme or chives for a burst of freshness.

Pickles:A side of crunchy pickles complements the richness of the soup.

White Wine:Sip a glass of the same white wine you used in the recipe for an elegant pairing.

Final Thoughts:French onion soup isn’t just a meal; it’s a warm, flavorful experience that transcends its humble ingredients. With these easy recipes, you can bring this classic comfort dish into your home, whether you’re cooking for loved ones or simply indulging in a solo culinary adventure.

The beauty of French onion soup is its ability to transform your kitchen into a cozy bistro. So, preheat your oven, sharpen those knives, and let the onions caramelize. Whether you prefer it classic or with a twist, these recipes offer a taste of comfort, one spoonful at a time. Enjoy the warmth, the flavors, and the simplicity of easy French onion soup. Bon appétit!

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7 Easy French Onion Soup Recipes to Warm Your Soul

Classic French Onion Soup

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

French Onion Soup with Gruyère Croutons

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

French Onion Soup with a Twist

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Quick French Onion Soup for Busy Days

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Lighter French Onion Soup

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Tips and Tricks

Serving Suggestions

Useful Links