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

  • Recipes
  • Dinners
  • Comfort Food

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

221 Ratings

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

In This Recipe

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 national dish of New Orleans? ›

Red Beans & Rice, Gumbo, Crawfish Etouffée, Jambalaya, and PoBoy's (including the famous Muffaletta) are just a few. That depends on who you ask. I'd say that the signature dishes of New Orleans are: Red beans and rice.

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? ›

My personal go-tos include worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, and brandy. Each deepens the flavor of french onion soup. Balsamic vinegar and soy sauce are other great options.

Why does my French onion soup taste burnt? ›

Yes, over high heat, onions can brown on the surface very quickly, especially in a pan that's not crowded. But the goal of caramelizing onions isn't just to brown the surface; it's to transform the onions so that they're soft and sweet to the core. Try to rush it and all you'll end up doing is burning them.

How do you thicken French onion soup? ›

If you want to thicken your French onion soup, you can add a bit of flour. Combine a couple of tablespoons of flour with a teaspoon of salt and whisk in about a quarter cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, until thickened.

What is a fun fact about French onion soup? ›

It is said that it was invented by none other than King Louis XV late one night at his hunting lodge when he was very hungry. When he only found onions, butter, and champagne in the pantry, he decided to use the three ingredients to make the French onion soup for the very first time.

Do French people actually eat French onion soup? ›

The Onion Soup, a traditional and warming dish

It has even become a trendy dish that tourists are eager to try to experience French gastronomy. However, onion soup is in fact not part of French people's daily meals. It was originally meant to be eaten after a family reunion in the middle of the night to cure hangovers…

What is the least healthiest soup? ›

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.

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 many days is French onion soup good for? ›

Leftover French onion soup can generally be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Make sure to transfer it to an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent odors from affecting the soup. If you don't plan to consume it within this timeframe, consider freezing the soup for longer storage.

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 soup is New Orleans known for? ›

New Orleans offers the most distinctive collection of soups anywhere in the nation. The vast spectrum of gumbo alone makes our soup selection utterly unique. Add turtle soup, artichoke and oyster soup, crawfish bisque and crab-and-corn soup – all indigenous dishes – and we have a lot going on in the bowl.

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 soup is famous in Louisiana? ›

Gumbo/Soups - Louisiana Cookin'

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 6132

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.