Forktionary

Real French Onion Soup Recipe

Experience the alchemy of French cuisine with this authentic onion soup recipe! Slow-cooked onions, rich beef stock, Gruyère cheese, and crusty bread combine for an unforgettable culinary experience. This isn't just soup; it's a symphony of flavors, perfected through hours of tender care. The secret? Lovingly caramelized onions, creating a depth of sweetness that will transport you to a Parisian bistro. Prepare for an unforgettable taste sensation – so good, you might even spread it on bread! (Best with high-quality beef stock – those little jellied sachets are ideal!)

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 150 mins
Calories 660.3 kcal
Protein 50g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Real French Onion Soup 22

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Real French Onion Soup

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How to Make Real French Onion Soup

  1. **Prep the Onions:** Peel and thinly slice 3 large yellow onions (about 2 lbs) in a well-ventilated area (onions can make you cry!).
  2. **Caramelize the Onions:** Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and stir well. Cover and cook for about 40 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes, until softened.
  3. **Continue Caramelization:** Remove the lid, add 2 teaspoons of sugar, increase the heat slightly, and simmer for another 20-30 minutes, or until almost all the liquid has evaporated and onions are deeply caramelized. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
  4. **Golden Brown Perfection:** Reduce heat to low and stir constantly for 10-15 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot, until the onions are a rich, deep golden brown. This is crucial for flavor!
  5. **Deglaze and Simmer:** Add 1/2 cup of dry vermouth and boil for a few minutes until it evaporates. Add 6 cups of high-quality beef stock, 2 bay leaves, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. **Toast the Bread:** While the soup simmers, toast 6 slices of crusty French bread until golden brown.
  7. **Assemble and Broil:** Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted bread, and then generously sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of grated Gruyère cheese.
  8. **Broil to Perfection:** Broil in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
  9. **Serve and Enjoy:** Serve immediately with extra crusty bread. Enjoy the delicious result of your hard work!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

62 g

Sugar

64g

Fat

86g

Carbs

24g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Starters Soups, Stews & Chilis Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat European French Fall Recipes

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation Soups Stews Vegetables Onions 4 Hours Or Less