French Onion Soup
French Onion Soup is calling your name, grab a spoon! Carmelized onions, bread, and cheese, it’s a winning trio. Comfort food at its best!
I have eaten many bowls of French onion soup, if I see it on a menu chances are I’m ordering it!
I’m a soup girl through and through. I could eat endless bowls and never tire of soup. I was the same way as a kid.
Oh, the delicious memories of all sorts of soups. I have my favorites and there are some I make all the time and some I love but only seem to make on occasion.
For some reason, French Onion Soup is one I tend to only make on occasion, but that’s about to change! I do typically order it when I’m out… Well, I used to.. it is harder to find where I live now, but was readily available where I’m from. This is why it’s so great to have such an easy recipe like this to make any time you have a craving!
This recipe may seem complex, but it’s really not… In just a few steps you’ll be eating.
Come see how easy…
- onions
- butter
- flour
- beef broth
- wine
- tomato paste
- garlic paste
- dry sage
- coarse kosher salt
- coarse black pepper
- beef bouillon
What can I use instead of wine in French Onion Soup?
A great substitute for wine in this recipe is 1/4 cup white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar. Cranberry juice is another option to give a nice tangy flavor to make this recipe nicely flavorful.
Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?
Yes, you can swap chicken broth for beef broth in this recipe. Add chicken bouillon instead of been bouillon as well.
How can I make this gluten-free?
To make French Onion Soup gluten-free, use cornstarch instead of flour.
Slice onions with the grain.
Cook onion in butter until caramelized. This will take about 30 minutes.
Add beef stock, wine, and seasonings.
And there you have it! Delicious French Onion Soup.
Now to serve the French Onion Soup.
Decide on bowls and be sure they are oven-safe. Use small cocottes, French Onion Soup Crocs, or larger bowls or mugs, ladle in the soup, then top it with sliced baguette of bread. The smaller the pieces of bread are the easier it is to eat, but if you want a big piece of bread, so right ahead.
Then top toasted bread with provolone cheese (or your cheese of choice, mozzarella or Swiss are other options) and bake for 15 minutes at 350° or broil on high for 2 minutes. Keep an eye on them and set a timer, cheese burns quickly.
Top with grated Romano or Parmesan Cheese and diced fresh parsley.
Soup recipes to try:
Can you freeze French Onion Soup?
Yes, it freezes well. Place the soup in either a glass canning jar or freezer save dish. Thaw, heat and serve. Or place it over pasta and freeze for a fun meal.
Now if you’re looking for this soup to be a complete meal and want to add some protein just grab your favorite cut of beef. I often use tri-tip or flank steak and slice and cook it in a pan to brown it and cook until 130°, then add it to the soup before serving.
Serve up a bowl of this warm cozy deliciousness on a cool evening and enjoy!
How else can I serve French Onion Soup?
Serve it over a nice pile of Mashed Potatoes!
Can I add meat to this soup?
Absolutely, you can buy a nice steak, tritip, hanger steak or similar and cut into 1″ chunks and brown in a skillet then add to the soup and simmer gently.
Is there an alternative to beef broth?
Yes, use chicken broth or vegetable broth. Add a tablespoon soy sauce or liquid amino to give it a bit richer flavor. If you want a meat alternative to add to the soup, dice mushrooms and add them in.
french onion soup
Ingredients
- 6 large onions about 6 lbs (yellow, brown, or white onions)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 cup wine use what you have white or red I used white. Do not use "cooking wine". Use wine you would drink, box wine is a fine choice.
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons garlic paste Gourmet Gardens, don't use jar garlic, mince it fresh if needed
- 2 teaspoons dry sage
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons beef bouillon
Toppings
- Baguette sliced and toasted
- Provolone Cheese mozzarella or Swiss are other options
Instructions
- Slice onions with the grain, 1/4 inch thick.
- In a 5 quart pot place butter and onions and cook over medium-high to medium heat until tender, golden, and reduced and caramelized.
- Add in flour and stir.
- Pour in beef broth.
- Add in wine, tomato paste, garlic, sage, salt, pepper, and beef bouillon, still well to combine.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Toast the bread.
- Serve with bowls topped with toasted bread and cheese.
- Smaller pieces of bread are easier to eat, but use large pieces if you prefer.
- Top bowls with cheese and place in oven at 350° for 10 minutes or under a broiler on high for 2 minutes.