Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (2024)

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This is our most requested soup recipe of all time, and for good reason.

By

Elise Bauer

Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated December 19, 2023

220 Ratings

Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (2)

The 30 Essential Soup Recipes for FallFEATURED IN:

Is there anything more comforting on a chilly day than a hot bowl of French onion soup? Especially with a thick slice of toasted bread loaded with melty Gruyere cheese and lots of caramelized onion.

Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (3)

How To Make the Best French Onion Soup

There are two essential components of a good French onion soup.

The first is the stock. Your soup will only be as good as the stock you are using. This soup traditionally is made with beef stock, though sometimes a good beef stock can be hard to come by and expensive to make.

If you use boxed stock, taste it first! If you don't like the taste, don't use it. (If you cook a lot of beef or beef roasts, save the scraps and freeze them to make a stock with later.)

Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (4)

The Secret Ingredient Is Time

The second most important element is to properly caramelize the onions. Caramelizing the amount of onions needed in this recipe will take at least 40 minutes. Caramelizing is a chemical process that occurs when the sugars in the onions reach a certain temperature.

This only happens after a long cooking time (the addition of a little extra sugar will help). The more caramelized, the deeper the color of the onions and the more flavor you'll get from them.

Alternatives To Wine

The recipe calls for dry vermouth or white wine as well as brandy, which is optional. If you prefer not to use any alcohol, many readers who made the recipe mentioned in the comments that they omit it altogether and it's still delicious.

Others mentioned adding some Worcestershire sauce at the end to give it an additional depth of flavor. If you omit the alcohol, you may want to add a tablespoon or so of Worcestershire, but it's not necessary.

If you do choose to omit the alcohol, use a half cup of the beef broth to deglaze the pan as instructed in Step 2 before adding the remaining stock in Step 3.

The Best Cheese To Use for French Onion Soup

Gruyere and Parmesan are the classics for French onion soup. However, if you don't have them, try these alternatives.

  • Gouda
  • Swiss
  • Fontina
  • Mozzarella

How To Store and Reheat This Dish

Store the soup—without the croutons—in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, bring to a boil on the stovetop. The croutons are best when made fresh.

How To Freeze French Onion Soup

This soup—without the croutons—freezes well. Freeze the cooled soup up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat by boiling on the stovetop. Make the croutons fresh.

More Warm and Cozy Soup Recipes to Try!

  • Butternut Squash Apple Soup
  • Instant Pot French Onion Soup
  • Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup
  • Smoky Vegan Lentil Stew
  • Farro, Mushroom, and Spinach Soup

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

French Onion Soup

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time60 mins

Total Time80 mins

Servings4to 6 servings

Much of the success of this soup depends on the stock that you are using, and stock varies tremendously in its taste. Depending on your stock, you may need to bump up the flavor with some beef bouillon (we recommend Better Than Bouillon brand).

Ingredients

  • 6 large red or yellow onions (about 3 pounds)

  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • Kosher salt

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 8 cups beef stock, chicken stock, or a combination of the two

  • 1/2 cup dry vermouth or dry white wine

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, a few sprigs of fresh thyme, OR 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)

  • 8 slices (1 inch thick) French bread or baguette

  • 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese

  • Sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese

Method

  1. Peel and slice the onions:

    Peel and thinly slice the onions from root to stem. There should be about 10 cups of sliced onions in total.

    How to Slice an OnionREAD MORE:

    Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (5)

  2. Begin caramelizing the onions with olive oil and butter:

    In a 5 to 6 quart thick-bottomed pot, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Add the onions and toss to coat with the olive oil.

    Cook the onions, stirring often, until they have softened, about 15 to 20 minutes.

    Increase the heat to medium high. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the butter and cook, stirring often, until the onions start to brown, about 20 to 40 minutes. The amount of time will vary depending on your pot, stove, and onions.

    Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (6)

  3. Sprinkle with the sugar, finish caramelizing, and add garlic:

    Sprinkle with sugar (to help with the caramelization) and 1 teaspoon of salt. Continue to cook until the onions are well browned, about 10 to 15 more minutes.

    Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute more.

    Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (7)

  4. Deglaze the pot with vermouth or wine:

    Add the wine or vermouth to the pot and scrape up the browned bits on the bottom and sides of the pot, deglazing the pot as you go.

    Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (8)

  5. Add the stock, bay leaves, and thyme:

    Add the stock, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot and lower the heat to maintain a low simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes.

    Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (9)

    Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (10)

  6. Season and add the brandy:

    Season to taste with more salt and add freshly ground black pepper. Discard the bay leaves. Add brandy if using.

  7. Toast the French bread slices:

    While the soup is simmering, line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil and preheat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the upper third of the oven.

    Brush both sides of the French bread or baguette slices lightly with olive oil (you'll end up using about a tablespoon and a half of olive oil for this).

    Put in the oven and toast until lightly browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven.

    Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (11)

    Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (12)

    Turn the toasts over and sprinkle with the grated Gruyere cheese and Parmesan. Return to oven when it's close to serving time and bake until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

  8. Serve:

    To serve, ladle soup into a bowl and transfer one cheesy toast onto the top of each bowl of soup.

    Alternatively, you can use individual oven-proof bowls or one large casserole dish. Ladle the soup into the bowls or casserole dish. Cover with the toast and sprinkle with cheese. Put into the broiler for 10 minutes at 350° F, or until the cheese bubbles and is slightly browned.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

  • Comfort Food
  • Fall Soups
  • Onions
  • French
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
699Calories
26g Fat
84g Carbs
30g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories699
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g33%
Saturated Fat 10g50%
Cholesterol 43mg14%
Sodium 1727mg75%
Total Carbohydrate 84g30%
Dietary Fiber 5g16%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 30g
Vitamin C 8mg38%
Calcium 424mg33%
Iron 6mg34%
Potassium 1000mg21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Our Most Requested Soup Recipe Of All Time? This To Die For French Onion Soup! (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put baking soda in French onion soup? ›

The caramelized onions for this soup cook more quickly due to a pinch of baking soda but still have that deep, slow-cooked flavor. Topping the soup with hot, cheesy toasts prepared while the soup simmers, eliminates the need to bake the soup in specialty French onion soup bowls.

Is French onion soup for poor people? ›

Although onions were plentiful and affordable by the poor, a medieval recipe in Le Ménagier de Paris, published in 1393, includes among its ingredients ginger and saffron – rare and expensive spices – making this version of the dish one for wealthy households.

What is the etiquette for eating French onion soup? ›

With such a soup, a knife is your friend, not your enemy. Using both the soup spoon and the knife, push the baked cheese against the rim of the cup or bowl and cut it gently with the knife. Once you've broken the cheese barrier, you can use the knife again to nudge bits of cheese onto the spoon.

What is the official soup of Louisiana? ›

The official state cuisine shall be gumbo. Its use on the official documents of the state and with the insignia of the state is hereby authorized.

How do you deepen the flavor of French onion soup? ›

A few sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf elevate the soup even more, but I take it a step further, adding a splash of fish sauce for complexity and depth—don't worry, it won't taste fishy—and a hit of cider vinegar to balance some of that oniony sweetness.

How do you thicken French onion soup? ›

The easiest way to thicken your French onion soup is with flour. You can also use cornstarch if you don't have any flour. Remember to never add the flour or cornstarch directly to the soup – otherwise you run the risk of it clumping.

Why does my French onion soup taste bitter? ›

Burned onions – result in bitter soup. Be careful to not burn the onions/cook them until they are too dark in color – you don't really need to cook them until they are dark brown – golden brown/light brown is enough.

What is a fun fact about French onion soup? ›

Its history

A legend has helped to restore the image of this soup: it is said that while King Louis XV slept in his hunting lodge, he woke up because of a nocturnal craving. He would then have made a soup from what he had on hand: onions, butter and champagne.

What is the least healthiest soup? ›

Clam chowder nutrition

And Walsh agrees, “Clam chowder is one of the worst soups a person can eat. It's high in fat, calories and sodium.” There is 180 calories in a cup of clam chowder. The macronutrient breakdown in a cup of clam chowder is 20 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein.

What ethnicity is French onion soup? ›

The classic French onion soup gets its name from its country of origin: France. After making its debut in the 18th century, it has become a national treasure. During ancient times (and still today), onions were cheap and easy to grow, and hence, readily available.

Did Vikings eat onion soup? ›

Parsnips grew wild at the time in Scandinavia, and are known from the sagas. The vikings were cultivating a wide array of onions, and we know for sure that they ate pea and onion soup. one particular popular onion was Garlauk, meaning farm onion, which of course is the same as Garlick.

What is the bread etiquette in France? ›

Bread is essential to the French, who eat a lot of it, with each meal, each course – except desert when bread is put away. It is served in slices in a basket. Help yourself, then put the bread directly on the tablecloth, close to your plate – not on your plate. If you are in a formal place, bread plates might be used.

How long can you eat French onion soup? ›

However, like anything else, French onion soup won't last forever. Once they've gone bad, leftovers will lose their quality and are at risk of spreading harmful bacteria. After it's been stored correctly, a container of French onion soup will safely last three to four days in the refrigerator.

What is the famous New Orleans soup? ›

This is my take on yakamein (New Orleans-style noodle soup) that's famous only locally, but is one soup you'll want to know about. Known in New Orleans as a very effective hangover cure—its nickname is Old Sober—it is also a beautifully comforting and delicious thing to eat.

What is a famous French soup? ›

The most famous of all French soups are onion (soupe à l'oignon), leek and potato (potage parmentier) and garlic (soupe à l'ail). Soups in France are generally made with broth or stock. They should first be delicate but then robust enough to make an impression in terms of flavor.

What is the Louisiana soup called? ›

Gumbo (Louisiana Creole: Gum-bo) is a stew that is popular in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and is the official state cuisine. Gumbo consists primarily of a strongly flavored stock, meat or shellfish (or sometimes both), a thickener, and the Creole "holy trinity" – celery, bell peppers, and onions.

What is France National soup? ›

The French national dish is Pot-au-Feu (Pot on the fire). It is a soup with vegetables and meat. The meat is often beef but sometimes pork. There are also different kinds of vegetables and spices in it.

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