What Color is Your Recipe? French Onion Soup Recipe
Cozy Up with Classic French Onion Soup
Is there anything more comforting than a warm bowl of French Onion Soup on a chilly evening? This isn’t just soup; it’s an experience! The deeply caramelized onions, rich beef stock, and bubbly Gruyere cheese create a symphony of flavors that will transport you straight to a Parisian bistro. We’ve perfected this classic recipe to be both approachable for home cooks and impressive enough for a special occasion.
This recipe takes a little time – about two hours from start to finish – but the vast majority of that is gentle simmering and caramelizing. Don’t rush the onion caramelization process! That’s where all the magic happens. Slow and steady heat is key to developing that deep, sweet, and savory flavor that defines French Onion Soup.
What makes our French Onion Soup special?
- Deeply Caramelized Onions: We guide you through the process of achieving perfectly golden-brown, sweet onions. This is the most important step.
- Rich Beef Stock: Using a good quality beef stock (homemade is best!) is crucial for a flavorful base.
- Classic Gruyere Crust: The bubbly, melted Gruyere cheese provides the perfect finishing touch.
Tips for Success:
- Onion Variety: We recommend a mix of white, yellow, and red onions for a complex flavor.
- Deglazing: Don’t skip deglazing the pot with Cognac or sherry (optional, but highly recommended!). It adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Oven-Safe Bowls: Make sure your bowls are oven-safe before broiling!
Serving Suggestions:
French Onion Soup is fantastic as a starter or a light meal. Pair it with a crusty baguette and a simple green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use store-bought beef stock?
A: Absolutely! While homemade beef stock is ideal, a good quality store-bought stock will work just fine.
Q: Can I make this soup ahead of time?
A: You can make the soup base a day or two in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and then assemble and broil just before serving.
Q: What if I don’t have Gruyere cheese?
A: Comté or Emmental cheese are good substitutes, though Gruyere offers the most traditional flavor.
Q: Can I use a different type of onion?
A: While we recommend a mix of white, yellow, and red, you can use all yellow onions if that’s what you have on hand. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
Q: Is this soup gluten-free?
A: This recipe is not naturally gluten-free due to the baguette. You can substitute with a gluten-free baguette to make it gluten-free.
French Onion Soup
Ingredients
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 cups thinly sliced onions (about 2-1/2 pounds, 2 large white, 2 medium yellow, 1 large red)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 8 cups homemade beef stock or store-bought
- 1 tablespoon Cognac or dry sherry optional
- 8 slices French baguette about 1/2 inch thick
- 4 oz Gruyere cheese grated
Instructions
- Melt butter and olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 30-45 minutes. Reduce heat if onions start to burn.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in beef stock and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat broiler. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and broil until lightly toasted.
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a toasted baguette slice and sprinkle generously with Gruyere cheese.
- Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
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