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Square overhead shot of a bowl of easy French onion soup.
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5 from 5 votes

Easy French Onion Soup

One of the best soups in the world, this traditional dish makes a simple and delicious meal on a chilly day!
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine French
Keyword best french onion soup recipe, easy french onion soup, French Onion Soup
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 293kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 3-4 large Vidalia onions (about 3 lbs. total), peeled and sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 8 cups beef broth (or beef stock)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 baguette, sliced into ¾-inch thick rounds
  • 8 ounces Swiss or Gruyere cheese, shredded

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and saute 10 minutes more.
    Process shot showing how to make easy French onion soup.
  • Add the thyme and 1 cup of the beef broth. Deglaze the pan, stirring to loosen the cooked pieces on the bottom. Add the remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaf. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Stir in balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Discard bay leaf.
    Pouring beef broth into a cast iron Dutch oven.
  • Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 400°F. While the soup is simmering, arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet and toast in the oven just until barely browned (about 5 minutes). Remove and set aside.
    Slicing a baguette on a wooden cutting board.
  • Switch the oven to the broiler. Place oven-safe soup bowls on a rimmed baking sheet. Ladle soup into the bowls.
    Ladling French onion soup into a white bowl.
  • Top each bowl with 2 slices of toast and sprinkle with about ¼ cup of cheese.
    Square side shot of bread and cheese on top of French onion soup before baking.
  • Place on an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on the broiler so that the bread and cheese don’t burn.
    Square overhead image of a white bowl full of easy French onion soup.

Notes

French onion soup is delicious alongside a simple green salad dressed in Dijon vinaigrette, a classic Caesar salad, or a green salad with red wine vinegar dressing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 1199mg | Potassium: 405mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 323IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 2mg