Description

This Easy French Onion Soup recipe delivers a classic, comforting French favorite made with caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and topped with toasted baguette slices crowned with melted Gruyère cheese. Perfectly balanced flavors and simple techniques make it an ideal starter or light meal.

Ingredients

Soup

4 large onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter
4 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon flour
Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings

4 slices baguette
1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded

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Instructions

Caramelize Onions: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become golden brown and caramelized, about 25 minutes. This slow cooking process brings out the natural sweetness of the onions.
Add Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir well to combine. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to form a slight roux, which helps thicken the soup.
Simmer Soup: Pour in the beef broth and add the thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
Season: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper according to your preference.
Prepare Toppings: While the soup simmers, toast the baguette slices in the oven until golden and crispy. Once toasted, top each slice evenly with shredded Gruyère cheese.
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and place a cheese-covered baguette slice on top of each serving, allowing the cheese to slightly melt and enhance the presentation and flavor.

Notes

For a vegetarian variation, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and omit the cheese or substitute with a vegetarian cheese alternative.
Caramelizing onions slowly is key to developing rich flavor; avoid rushing this step.
You can broil the cheese topped baguette slices briefly instead of toasting separately to melt the cheese perfectly.
Gruyère cheese adds authenticity, but Swiss or Emmental are good alternatives if unavailable.
Adjust thyme quantity according to taste preference or substitute with fresh thyme for more aroma.