Easy French onion soup becomes a treasured recipe. Discover this classic French onion soup recipe and you will kick yourself for not making it sooner!
It's hard not to love French onion soup.
Like a treasure chest, this onion soup recipe with its salty molten cheese top, hiding bread soaked with rich savory sweet broth, contains hidden gems of caramelized onions. Ahh.
Everyone has their own version, but pretty much they are all the same.
I first encountered my treasure chest at the Magic Pan on Michigan Avenue, a very long time ago.
And though I consider French onion soup a special treat, I really should make it more often.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that anything with cheese is verboten, because really this simple peasant broth is pretty calorie free.
So if you must, just make the broth, but everyone needs a splurge now and then.
When I was married many moons ago we were gifted onion soup crocks in the classic colors of gold and brown. They looked something like this.
I kept them for many years on the top shelf where they gathered dust as they sat unused.
They were never very attractive to me and since my kitchen dishes are blue and white, I finally felt the urge to purge.
And so I did. As my daughter says, or really Marie Kondo, if it doesn't give you joy there is no reason to keep it. So after 20 years I didn't.
When I'm in a purging mood I throw with gleeful abandon, but those moods don't strike me often. (This is a good thing because when I throw, it generally means I'm in a really bad mood.)
However when I do toss - watch out. By chance if these gold and brown crocks with handles are in your cabinets, I hope they are not gathering dust.
I hope they are bringing you joy. As much joy as this easy French Onion soup does me.
I now use deep white individual souffle dishes to make my soup and it works out just fine.
I still am able to run them under the broiler and turn that cheese into molten lava. And I'm still able to break into the treasure chest just fine. Just fine indeed.
More Soup:
White Bean, Bacon and Kale Soup
Barbeque Bean Soup with Sausage
Old Fashioned Beet Borscht Soup
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Recipe
Easy French Onion Soup
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 60 Minutes
- Total Time: 75 Minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: StoveTop
- Cuisine: French
Description
Easy French onion soup should be a treasured recipe. Everyone loves French onion soup? Why save it for the mall?
Ingredients
- 3 T butter
- 1 ¾ lb onions or 2 very large, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 8 c chicken stock
- 1 c white wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 thyme sprigs
- 12 slices crostini or toasted baguettes
- 4 oz grated Gruyere cheese
Instructions
- Melt butter in a heavy bottomed pot. Add the thinly sliced onions. Partially cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 25 minutes or until the onions are golden and beginning to caramelize.
- Add the garlic . Let soften for a few minutes. Blend in the stock and the wine, stirring until blended. Add bay leaf and thyme and season with salt and pepper. (This will depend on how salty your chicken stock is.) I do like plenty of fresh ground pepper but that is up to you.
- Cover the pot and simmer for 25 minutes. Remove bay leaf and thyme and check for seasoning. Preheat the broiler.
- Using your choice of bowl, place the soup into bowls or souffle ramekins. Top with 1 layer of baguette slices. Sprinkle with grated cheese. I like to cover it thick! Place bowls in your broiler pan and then place under broiler until the cheese melts and turns golden. Serve while hot!
Gingi Freeman says
This looks amazingly tasty!!! I want!!!!!! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Evolve With Mary says
I made onion soup once, it was a huge all day headache, but man was it delicious. It’s been a couple of years and I’m willing to do it all again but only because you made it soooo darn easy. These little French Onion Soup Crocks are adorable!!!! OMG look at all that cheese 🙂
Amira's Pantry says
Such a lovely soup in this weather ... perfect!
Eva Taylor says
Thank you for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment. French onion soup is my absolute favourite, I like making it with beef broth or even making my own beef bones broth; the beef bone broth adds such richness to the soup that cannot be replicated with chicken broth. I also have a Guiness onion soup recipe on the blog, boy that one was super tasty too. And if you're feeling thrifty, I have an vegetarian version on the blog using onion skins (don't laugh, it makes a deliciously rich and dark broth).
Your photos are beautiful, the melty gruyere looks awesome. Several years ago, we bought ourselves some Émile Henry French Onion Soup bowls and they are fantastic to serve the soup in (you know, the ones with the little lion heads on the sides). They have an incredible heat retention capability.
Healthy World Cuisine says
We remember those little dust collecting crocks too! Seriously delicious all those caramelized onions and killer broth. So what time is dinner?
In Good Flavor says
This looks mouthwatering!! I think of French Onion Soup as a special treat too. Digging into one is pure bliss!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
I love such easy and palatable dishes, Abbe! Can't wait to give this onion soup a try!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I think my parents used to have crocks just like that! I'll have to raid their cabinets next time I visit in case they're still around somewhere :). I love French onion soup and it's been way too long since the last time I made it. I'll have to try your recipe!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
We haven't had French Onion soup in too long! The toast and gooey cheese is the best part. I have some purging to do myself 🙂
kankana says
This is really one of my FAV soup. Sadly husband doesn't like. But I think I will make it just for me. So tempted right now.
Sippity Sup says
I remember Magic Pan. It must have been a change because I recall it from Detroit MI. I also remember those crocs my mom had something oh so similar. I occasionally see them in thrift stores and the nostalgia bug bites so I think about buying them. But I know that eventually I'd tire of them and purge them myself so I don't buy them. I guess the neat bug bites me harder than the nostalgia bug. But it's fun to remember anyway. Next time I break through the cheese of French Onion Soup I'll think of these crocs. GREG
mimi rippee says
I always think of my burnt tongue when I see French onion soup, because I always burn my tongue on it! But who can resist melted Gruyere?!!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
It's been a lot cooler in LA which has been AMAZING and which also means, SOUP actually sounds like a GOOD TIME to me! hahahaha! Soooo I need to figure out how to make this GIGI approved, which will be fun 😉 Do love me some cooked onions and, I AM FRENCH soooo SHA-BAM!
Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) says
I would order this in a heart beat but never make it. Dave is not a fan. I am like you, if it does not get used, toss it.
mjskit says
OH my ... you have really hit a soft spot with this household. We LOVE French onion soup. There is a restaurant in town that we go to just for the soup. Boy would I make my family happy if I would make this for them at home. Inspiring post! Thanks!
Tricia Buice says
Your soup looks fantastic Abbe! My husband adores French Onion Soup - and could eat his weight in this stuff. Cheesy treasure for sure 🙂
Kitchen Riffs says
Love this dish! Soup is comfort food, but add yummy cheese? SO GOOD! I haven't made this for years, but it's been on my list of stuff to make (an impossibly long list). I agree with you on the "official" bowls, BTW -- never did it for me, either. Anyway, good stuff -- thanks.
Abbe Odenwalder says
It is really good and so easy to make so why is it we don't make it more often?
Chris Scheuer says
I used to have those same bowls. And they sat on the same top shelf. And, just like you, one day I realized that I never used them! So out they went. But I could definitely find some bowls in my repertoire to make this delicious looking soup!
Abbe Odenwalder says
I'm beginning to think many have those bowls Chris and they can still be had on Amazon! At a very reasonable place. Thanks!
Liz Berg says
Oooh, we love French onion soup! I'm going to try yours one of those cold days I don't want to leave the house. P.S. I love purging the house, too, though Bill thinks I get much more joy out of tossing his stuff!
Abbe Odenwalder says
So funny. I get lots of joy from tossing his stuff! And he's not home to stop me!
Angie Schneider says
Haven't had this French classic in a really long while...now you have me crave some! Yours looks fabulous, Abbe.
Abbe Odenwalder says
It's time Angie! Thanks!