Classic French Onion Soup

Name: Classic French Onion Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 6 cups yellow onions, thinly sliced; 3 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup dry white wine; 6 cups beef broth; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves; 1 bay leaf; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1 baguette, sliced into rounds; 2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

A cozy bowl of sweet caramelized onions in a rich broth topped with bubbly melted cheese.

By Enzo81 Kitchen· French· October 20, 2026

enzo81.xyz

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

60 minutes

Total

75 minutes

Serves

There is nothing quite like the smell of onions slowly browning on the stove. This soup is a favorite in our house because it turns simple pantry staples into something that tastes like a fancy meal from a bistro.

Take your time with the onions since the deep flavor really depends on how well you caramelize them. Patience is the secret ingredient here so keep the heat low and enjoy the process.

Ingredients

6 cups yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 baguette, sliced into rounds
2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

10Instructions

1
Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2
Add the sliced onions and cook them for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring often until they turn a deep golden brown.
3
Stir in the sugar and garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up all the tasty browned bits from the bottom.
5
Add the beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for 20 minutes.
6
Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove the bay leaf.
7
Preheat your oven broiler.
8
Ladle the soup into oven safe bowls and place a few slices of baguette on top of each.
9
Cover the bread generously with both Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
10
Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.

Tips

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to three days, but keep the bread separate until you are ready to serve so it stays crisp. You can use vegetable broth instead of beef if you prefer a lighter version.

#soup #french #comfort food #dinner #easy

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