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Authentic French Onion Soup

Authentic French Onion Soup: 7 Secrets to the Classic Recipe


  • Author: recipeinspire
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

An authentic French onion soup prepared the traditional way with slow-caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and perfectly melted Gruyère cheese. A true Parisian comfort classic.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 8 cups high-quality beef stock
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
  • 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese

Instructions

  1. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, sugar, and salt. Cook slowly, stirring often, until onions are deeply caramelized, about 45–50 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook another 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
  3. Deglaze with white wine, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  4. Pour in beef stock, add thyme and bay leaf. Simmer gently for 30 minutes. Remove herbs before serving.
  5. Preheat oven broiler. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top each with toasted baguette slices, and cover with grated Gruyère cheese.
  6. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden, about 2–4 minutes. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the most authentic taste, use homemade beef stock and aged Gruyère. Allow onions to caramelize very slowly for best depth of flavor.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop and Broil
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 870mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: authentic french onion soup, traditional french onion soup, parisian onion soup, classic french recipe