Love French Onion Soup but short on time? This quick version gets caramelized onions into a savory broth fast, making it perfect for a warm, comforting meal any day of the week.
Looking for a quick and hearty meal? I’ve got the perfect French onion soup recipe for you. It’s easy to make and packs all the warmth and comfort you crave in a bowl.
Whether you’re new to cooking French dishes or just want a straightforward soup that tastes like more work than it was, this recipe’s a winner.
And if you’re vegetarian, switch out the chicken broth for vegetable broth — it’s just as delicious.
Let’s get cooking!
🥰 Why You Will Love This Recipe?
- It’s simple and downright delicious. You don’t need to be a pro to make it, and it brings a little bit of French elegance right into your kitchen.
- This is my go-to when I want something quick and satisfying. It only takes about 50 minutes, start to finish. It’s perfect for a busy day when you still want a meal that feels a bit fancy.
- There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of this soup. The caramelized onions mixed into a savory broth and topped with melted Gruyère cheese? It’s cozy comfort food at its best.
- Caramelizing the onions is the key. It might take a bit of patience, but watching them slowly brown and fill the kitchen with their sweet smell makes it all worthwhile.
- This soup is classic French cooking without the fuss. It’s always a hit, combining rich flavors like sweet onions, hearty broth, crispy
🥘 Ingredients and Substitutes
- Onions: Yellow onions are classic for their balance of sweetness and pungency, but sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla work well too.
- Chicken Broth: Adds rich, savory depth. Beef broth is a robust substitute, and vegetable broth works for a vegetarian version.
- Herbes de Provence: This herb blend gives the soup its French flair. If you don’t have it, mix dried thyme, rosemary, and a pinch of lavender.
- All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the soup. Cornstarch is a great gluten-free alternative and will give you the right consistency without altering the flavor.
- White Wine: Adds acidity and depth. White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used sparingly as substitutes.
- French Baguette: Provides a crunchy, toasty element. Sourdough or ciabatta also work well.
- Gruyère Cheese: Known for its melting qualities and nutty flavor. If unavailable, try Emmental, Swiss, or mild Fontina for a similar effect.
👩🍳 Step-by-step Directions
First, clean and cut the onions into julienne strips. No need to dice them finely since we’ll be caramelizing them for a while.
Heat about 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large pan, then add the onions, ½ teaspoon of Herbes de Provence, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Let the onions caramelize over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Allow the onion to caramelize over medium heat, stirring periodically. When you notice that parts of it start to become more caramelized in places, add a ladle of broth and let the onion simmer in this small amount of liquid until it all evaporates, then the onion will begin to caramelize again.
When you notice that it starts to caramelize too much in places again, add another ladle of water and let it simmer until all the liquid has evaporated, and then the caramelization process will begin again.
Repeat this process three or four times until the onions are uniformly caramelized without burning.
Once the onions are brown and very soft, add ¼ cup of wine and let it simmer until it evaporates.
While the wine is evaporating, prepare the croutons. Cut a slice of baguette for each serving, drizzle with a little oil, and fry until crispy and golden on both sides.
When the wine has evaporated, add flour and mix well to avoid lumps. Then add chicken broth or water to achieve the desired soup consistency. Taste and adjust the salt as needed.
Quick Note: Be mindful of the salt level in the chicken broth you use; if it’s a bit too salty, I recommend using some water to adjust the soup’s density and to avoid making the soup too salty. If you will decide to use broth instead of water, keep in mind that it also may contain salt.
Once you’ve achieved the desired density, distribute the soup into ramekins, place a slice of toasted bread on top of each serving of soup, then generously sprinkle grated cheese over it.
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) until the cheese melts and caramelizes nicely. Now the soup is ready to be served.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- For a cozy family lunch, I like to serve the soup with a variety of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Use different cheeses like Havarti, cheddar, or Brie, and artisanal breads like sourdough or rye.
- For a rustic bistro-style meal, serve the soup alongside a charcuterie board with cured meats, assorted cheeses, olives, and crusty bread. Add a carafe of robust red wine or a light beer to pair with the meal.
- For an elegant dinner starter, I love pairing French Onion Soup with a light salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette.
❄️ Storage
Refrigerating
I store French Onion Soup in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I let it cool to room temperature first, then transfer it to an airtight container. I keep the soup and the bread/cheese topping separate to prevent sogginess.
Freezing
For longer storage, I freeze the soup without the bread and cheese. I pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some space for expansion. Properly stored, it lasts about 2-3 months in the freezer.
Thawing
To thaw, I put the frozen soup in the fridge overnight. For a quicker thaw, I place the sealed container in a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed.
Reheating
I reheat the soup in a pot over medium heat until hot but avoid boiling to preserve flavor and texture. If it’s too thick, I add a little water or broth. For the bread and cheese topping, I toast the baguette slices, add cheese, and broil until bubbly and golden brown. Then, I add them to the hot soup just before serving.
🏆 Expert Tips. What to Pay Attention To?
- Caramelizing Onions: Slowly cook the onions over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring now and then. Don’t rush it, or you’ll burn them and get a bitter taste. Take your time to get that rich, sweet flavor.
- Choosing Onions: Yellow onions are my go-to for their sweet and sharp balance. They caramelize nicely and add great flavor. But feel free to try sweet onions or mix yellow and red to see what you like best.
- Bread and Cheese: Use a French baguette, sliced and toasted, for that perfect crunchy top. Gruyère is best for its melting and nutty flavor, but Emmental or Fontina are good substitutes.
🤔 Answering Your Questions:
Can I Make This Soup Vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this French Onion Soup vegetarian by substituting the chicken broth with a high-quality vegetable broth. The key is to use a rich and flavorful broth to ensure your soup has depth. The rest of the ingredients are already vegetarian-friendly.
What Kind of Onions Are Best for French Onion Soup?
Yellow onions are typically the best choice for French Onion Soup due to their perfect balance of sweetness and sharpness. They caramelize beautifully, contributing to the soup’s deep flavor profile. However, you can also use sweet onions like Vidalia for a milder flavor or a mix of onions for a more complex taste.
How Can I Thicken French Onion Soup?
The soup is typically thickened with a bit of flour cooked with the onions. If you find your soup is too thin after adding the broth, you can mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and add it to the soup, allowing it to simmer and thicken. Remember to add it gradually and check the consistency.
Can I Make This Soup in Advance?
Yes, this soup can be made in advance and stored as mentioned above. In fact, some say that the flavors deepen when the soup is allowed to rest in the refrigerator overnight and reheated the next day.
📋 Recipe Card:
Quick Authentic French Onion Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- 1 ½ lb Onions
- ½ teaspoons Herbs de Provence
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- ¼ cup White wine
- 2 teaspoons All-purpose Flour
- 3 slices baguette
- 6 tablespoons Gruyere Cheese
- 1 ½ cup Chicken Broth
Instructions
- Prepare Onions: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add julienne-cut onions, Herbes de Provence, and salt.2 teaspoons Olive Oil, 1 ½ lb Onions, ½ teaspoons Herbs de Provence
- Caramelize Onions: Allow onions to caramelize, stirring occasionally. Add a ladle of broth when onions start to brown, letting it evaporate before adding more. Repeat 3-4 times until onions are uniformly caramelized.2 cups Chicken Broth
- Add Wine: Pour in the wine and simmer until evaporated.¼ cup White wine
- Make Croutons: Cut baguette slices, drizzle with oil, and fry until golden.3 slices baguette
- Thicken Soup: Add the all-purpose flour to caramelized onions, ensuring no lumps. Gradually add chicken broth or water to achieve the desired soup density. Adjust salt to taste.2 teaspoons All-purpose Flour, 1 ½ cup Chicken Broth
- Serve: Place a toasted bread slice in each ramekin. Pour soup over bread, top with grated cheese.6 tablespoons Gruyere Cheese
- Bake: Bake at 400°F (200°C) until cheese is melted and golden.
Quick Note
I highly recommend reading the entire recipe to find more tips and notes about this recipe. Read Full Recipe ⇑
Notes
- Cheese Crust Tip: For an extra crispy cheese crust, put your oven-proof soup bowls under the broiler for a couple of minutes after adding the cheese-topped bread. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.
- Onion Cutting Technique: Slice your onions thin and evenly for the best caramelization. If they’re too thick, they won’t cook evenly.
- Soup Thickness: If you like a thicker soup, add a bit more flour when thickening. Just don’t overdo it—the soup should still be slightly brothy.
- Leftover Idea: If you have leftover soup (without the bread and cheese), use it as a base for a stew or a sauce. It adds a rich onion flavor to other dishes.
Nutrition Estimates
If you enjoyed making this French onion soup, I’d love to hear from you! Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below with your experience, any unique twists you tried, or tips for others.
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