Easy & Irresistible French Onion Soup Recipe

There’s something so comforting about a warm bowl of French Onion Soup, especially when it’s made slowly, with love, and fills your kitchen with that rich, savory aroma. It feels cozy, a little luxurious, and surprisingly simple—one of those recipes that turns humble ingredients into something truly special.

This French Onion Soup is perfect when you want an easy yet impressive dish, whether it’s for a quiet weeknight dinner or a cozy gathering with family. With deeply caramelized onions, a flavorful broth, and that irresistible cheesy topping, this classic never goes out of style—and once you make it at home, you’ll never look at restaurant versions the same way again.

More Cozy Recipes You’ll Love

• Homemade Dumpling Soup Recipe
• Minestrone Soup Recipe
• Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Stew

INGREDIENTS

Here’s everything you’ll need to make a rich, cozy French Onion Soup at home:

• Yellow onions, thinly sliced – 3 lb (1.35 kg)
• Unsalted butter – 3 tablespoons (45 g)
• Olive oil – 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
• Garlic, minced – 2 cloves
• All-purpose flour – 1 tablespoon (8 g)
• Beef broth (or vegetable broth) – 8 cups (1.9 liters)
• Dry white wine (optional, but recommended) – ½ cup (120 ml)
• Bay leaf – 1
• Fresh thyme (or dried thyme) – 2 sprigs or 1 teaspoon (1 g)
• Salt – 1 teaspoon (6 g), or to taste
• Black pepper – ½ teaspoon (1 g)
• Baguette, sliced – 6 slices (about 150 g total)
• Gruyère cheese, freshly grated – 1½ cups (150 g)

Optional additions:

• Sugar – ½ teaspoon (2 g), to help onions caramelize
• Worcestershire sauce – 1 teaspoon (5 ml), for deeper flavor

INSTRUCTIONS

Follow these simple steps to make a deeply flavorful French Onion Soup at home:

1. Caramelize the onions
   Melt the butter and olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and stir to coat them well. Cook for 35–45 minutes, stirring often, until the onions turn deeply golden and caramelized. Add the sugar (if using) during the last 10 minutes to help boost browning.
2. Add garlic and flour
   Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir well. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste and help thicken the soup slightly.
3. Deglaze the pot
   Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.
4. Add broth and herbs
   Add the beef broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce (if using). Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes to let the flavors develop.
5. Toast the bread
   Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast for 5–7 minutes, until lightly golden and crisp.
6. Melt the cheese topping
   Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a toasted baguette slice and a generous sprinkle of Gruyère cheese. Broil on high for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese melts and bubbles.

TIPS & VARIATIONS

These simple tips will help you make the best French Onion Soup every single time:

Helpful Cooking Tips

• Take your time with the onions. Slow caramelization is the secret to rich flavor. Don’t rush this step.
• Use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent burning and help the onions cook evenly.
• Taste before serving. Broths vary in saltiness, so adjust seasoning at the end.

Easy Variations

• Make it vegetarian: Swap beef broth for vegetable broth and skip Worcestershire sauce or use a vegetarian version.
• Add deeper flavor: Use half beef broth and half chicken broth for a lighter but still savory taste.
• Cheese swaps: Try Swiss or Comté cheese if you don’t have Gruyère.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Make ahead: The soup base tastes even better the next day. Store without bread and cheese.
• Refrigerate: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Freeze the soup (without toppings) for up to 3 months.

SERVING IDEAS

This cozy French Onion Soup shines on its own, but it’s even better when served thoughtfully:

How to Serve

• Serve the soup hot and bubbly, straight from the oven, with melted cheese stretching over the edges.
• Use oven-safe bowls or crocks to keep everything warm and beautiful at the table.

Perfect Pairings

• Simple green salad with a light vinaigrette for balance
• Crusty bread or garlic toast for dipping
• Roasted vegetables or a light protein like grilled chicken

Occasion-Based Ideas

• Weeknight comfort meal: Pair with a salad and call it dinner.
• Dinner parties: Serve in small bowls as a cozy starter.
• Cold evenings: Make it the main event with extra cheese and bread on the side.

FAQs

Recipe

Yield: 6 cups

French Onion Soup

Print

This classic French Onion Soup is rich, cozy, and full of deep caramelized onion flavor, topped with crusty bread and melted cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

• Yellow onions, thinly sliced – 3 lb (1.35 kg)
• Unsalted butter – 3 tablespoons (45 g)
• Olive oil – 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
• Garlic, minced – 2 cloves
• All-purpose flour – 1 tablespoon (8 g)
• Beef broth (or vegetable broth) – 8 cups (1.9 liters)
• Dry white wine (optional) – ½ cup (120 ml)
• Bay leaf – 1
• Fresh thyme – 2 sprigs or dried thyme 1 teaspoon (1 g)
• Salt – 1 teaspoon (6 g), or to taste
• Black pepper – ½ teaspoon (1 g)
• Baguette, sliced – 6 slices (about 150 g)
• Gruyère cheese, grated – 1½ cups (150 g)

Instructions

1. Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 35–45 minutes, stirring often, until deeply caramelized.
   
2. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
   
3. Pour in white wine and simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
   
4. Add broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes.
   
5. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toast baguette slices for 5–7 minutes until golden.
   
6. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with bread and cheese, then broil on high for 2–3 minutes until bubbly.

Notes

Caramelize onions slowly for the best flavor.

Make the soup base ahead and add toppings just before serving.

Adjust salt at the end based on broth used.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 16gCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 14g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients used.

If you’ve never made French Onion Soup at home, this is your sign to try it. With just a little patience and simple ingredients, you get a cozy, comforting bowl that feels special every single time. That rich broth, those sweet caramelized onions, and the melty cheese on top—it’s pure comfort in a bowl.

If you enjoyed this French Onion Soup, don’t forget to save it on Pinterest so you can come back to it anytime. I’d also love to hear how it turned out for you, so feel free to leave a comment or share your favorite twist on this classic recipe.

Happy cooking 💛