Classic French Onion Soup (Printable)

Savory French bistro classic with caramelized alliums in rich broth, topped with crusty bread and melted Gruyère.

# What You Need:

→ Alliums

01 - 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
02 - 2 large leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and thinly sliced
03 - 3 shallots, thinly sliced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Fats

05 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Broth & Umami

07 - 8 cups high-quality beef broth
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 2 teaspoons soy sauce
10 - 0.5 cup dry white wine
11 - 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
12 - 1 bay leaf

→ Bread & Cheese

13 - 1 baguette, sliced into 0.5-inch rounds
14 - 2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated
15 - 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

→ Seasonings

16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
02 - Add the sliced onions, leeks, and shallots. Sauté, stirring frequently, until very soft and deep golden brown, approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.
03 - Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom using a wooden spoon.
04 - Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
06 - Preheat the oven broiler to high temperature.
07 - Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast under the broiler until golden brown, approximately 1 to 2 minutes per side.
08 - Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each with toasted baguette slices and a generous amount of Gruyère cheese.
09 - Place bowls under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
10 - Remove bowls from broiler and serve immediately, garnished with extra thyme if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The trio of alliums creates a depth of flavor that a single onion variety just cannot touch.
  • It is the ultimate comfort food for those nights when you need a warm hug in a bowl.
02 -
  • Rushing the onions will only result in burnt edges and a bitter soup instead of deep sweetness.
  • Cleaning leeks thoroughly by soaking them is a step you cannot skip if you want to avoid gritty surprises.
03 -
  • Adding a tiny pinch of sugar can help the onions caramelize more evenly if they are stubborn.
  • Rubbing a raw garlic clove on the toasted bread rounds adds a hidden layer of sharp aroma.
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