Creamy French Onion Soup Recipe with Gruyere
A comforting and easy-to-make French onion soup featuring slow caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and a bubbly Gruyere cheese crust. Perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups beef broth (preferably low-sodium)
- 1 cup dry white wine (optional but recommended)
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese
- 8 thick slices baguette, toasted
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
- Peel and thinly slice 4 large yellow onions to about 1/8 inch thickness.
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Stir to coat and cook slowly, stirring every 5 minutes, for about 40 minutes until onions are deep golden brown and sweet-smelling.
- Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning the garlic.
- Pour in 1 cup dry white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add 6 cups beef broth, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in ½ cup heavy cream if desired for extra creaminess.
- While soup simmers, toast 8 thick slices of baguette in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes until crisp but not browned.
- Ladle hot soup into ovenproof bowls. Place 1-2 toasted baguette slices on top of each bowl and cover generously with about ¼ cup grated Gruyere cheese per bowl.
- Place bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Remove carefully from oven, let cool for a minute, and serve immediately.
Notes
Use medium-low heat to caramelize onions slowly to avoid bitterness. Add a splash of water or broth if onions stick. Watch cheese closely while broiling to prevent burning. For gluten-free, substitute baguette with gluten-free bread or crackers. For vegetarian, use vegetable broth and skip or substitute wine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: French onion soup, creamy soup, Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, comfort food, easy soup recipe