This easy French onion soup recipe is flavorful, rich, and absolutely perfect for a cold day. This homemade soup is topped with melted Swiss and Parmesan and can be eaten as a first course or an entree. It is easy to make, feeds a crowd, and gets oohs and aahs every time!
The best French onion soup is made with yellow onions, beef broth, and a variety of seasonings. It is then topped with a slice of French bread and a layer of cheese, then baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
French onion soup is a classic French dish that is simple to make and can be enjoyed any time of year.
How to Make French Onion Soup
This recipe comes from Betty Crocker's International Cookbook, one of my favorite cookbooks.
TIP: Season it up. The soup can be bland if it isn't seasoned properly. Taste your broth before putting the soup together, and add more of your favorite seasoning if needed!
Ingredients
- 4 medium onions sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2 10-ounce cans of beef or vegetarian broth condensed
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon thyme leaves
- 4 slices of French bread, cut ¾ to 1 inch thick
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, about 4 ounces
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
Instructions
- Cook onions in oil (or butter) in a 3-quart saucepan, covered, over medium heat for about 15 minutes, until tender.
- Add broth, water, bay leaf, pepper, and thyme.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Place bread slices on a cookie sheet and broil for about 1 minute until golden brown.
- Turn and broil the opposite side until golden brown. Or, you can simply toast them.
- Place bread in the bottom of 4 oven-proof bowls. Add broth. Top with Swiss cheese, then sprinkle with Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese.
- Place bowls on the cookie sheet.
- Broil about 5 inches from the heat until the cheese is melted and golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. (Watch carefully!)
Expert Tips
- Use a serrated knife to avoid crushing your bread, and gently saw through it.
- Try a mandolin, instead of hand-slicing all the onions, either slice them with your mandolin (with a cut glove or the finger guard) or feed them through the slicing attachment on your food processor.
- Use the right bowls - For this recipe, you will need some good ovenproof soup bowls (you can use them for Chili too)!
Variations
- Precook the onions - If you are not keen on standing at the stove to make caramelized onions, start with instruction #2 and use the onions you make ahead in Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions. It will take about 20-30 minutes to finish the recipe and sit down to supper.
- Vegetarian French onion soup - Instead of beef broth, use vegetable broth and add a splash or two of vegan Worcestershire sauce for a hearty, umami-rich flavor.
- Thicken it up. If you prefer a glossy consistency rather than a rich broth, sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of cornstarch or 1 tablespoon of flour over the caramelized onions. Stir them in very well before adding the broth. Continue stirring well to avoid clumps. It will thicken over time as the broth simmers.
Recipe FAQs
It’s not necessary. The caramelized onions are already so thick and glossy that they don’t really need anything else! If you prefer a thicker soup, sprinkle a teaspoon of cornstarch over the caramelized onions, stir it in well, then add the broth. It will thicken as it heats up.
Technically, yes. You can use any onion to make French onion soup. However, red onions are naturally pink when cooked down, which can clash with the brown broth. They also have a slightly different flavor than regular white or yellow onions. It’s traditional to use slightly sweet yellow onions for a reason!
How to Eat French Onion Soup
Now you have the soup made, how do you eat it? Well, that can be a bit tricky. The cheese on top can be thick and hard to eat with just a spoon. But don't worry, a knife can help: use both the spoon and the knife to cut the cheese and scoop it onto the spoon.
First, push the cheese against the edge of the cup or bowl and gently cut it with the knife. Then, use the knife to nudge bits of cheese onto the spoon.
You can also twist a strand of cheese around the spoon and cut it neatly with the knife. This will help you enjoy your soup without making a mess or getting cheese all over your face!
It's considered gauche (unsophisticated, lacking social experience or grace) to use a fork or your fingers, as this can lead to a messy and unappetizing eating experience.
Rather than rushing through it, eat the soup slowly and savor each spoonful.
What to serve with French onion soup
When French onion soup is served as a main course, it is traditionally accompanied by a salad. If you are serving French onion soup as an appetizer, consider serving it with a side of bread or crackers. It also tastes great with a side of rice or potatoes.
Sides to eat with French onion soup
Here are some of the best side dishes to eat with onion soup to make it a complete meal:
- Grilled chicken
- Chicken Panini
- Roasted veggies
- Green salad
- New York strip steak
- Homemade bread
- Baguette slices
Easy French Onion Soup Recipe
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 4 medium onions sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2 10-ounce cans beef or vegetarian broth condensed
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon thyme leaves
- 4 slices French bread Cut ¾ to 1 inch thick
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese about 4 ounces
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
Instructions
- Cook onions in oil (or butter) in a 3-quart saucepan, covered, over medium heat for about 15 minutes until the onions are tender.
- Add broth, water, bay leaf, pepper and thyme.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Place bread slices on a cookie sheet and broil about 1 minute until golden brown.
- Turn, broil the opposite side until golden brown. Or, you can simply toast them.
- Place bread in the bottom of 4 oven-proof bowls. Add broth. Top with Swiss cheese, then sprinkle with Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese.
- Place bowls on cookie sheet.
- Broil about 5 inches from heat until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. (Watch carefully!)
Nutrition (may vary depending on ingredients and amounts used)
More Soup Recipes To Try
- Potato Soup with Noodles (Dumplings)
- Mexican Chicken Soup
- French Vegetable Stew
- Easy Homemade Vegetable Soup
- Savory Butternut Squash Soup
