Introduction
Classic French onion soup is a beloved dish that embodies comfort and elegance simultaneously. The key to its deep flavor lies in slowly caramelizing the onions until they are sweet and golden, which then infuse a rich beef broth. Topped with toasted bread and melted Gruyère or Swiss cheese, each bowl offers a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and umami notes. This recipe is straightforward yet delivers restaurant-quality results at home.
Ingredients
- 6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, helps caramelize onions)
- 8 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian version)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or sherry (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Baguette slices, toasted
- 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese
