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Restaurant-Style French Onion Soup

A rich, deeply flavored broth filled with sweet caramelized onions, topped with gooey melted cheese over crunchy French bread, this soup is perfect for cozy gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: French
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the soup base
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 8 cups beef broth Use halal-certified for halal-friendly version.
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • to taste Salt and pepper
For serving
  • 6 slices French bread
  • 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large pot, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sugar, stirring regularly for about 25-30 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown and become caramelized.
  2. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to combine. This will help thicken the soup.
  3. Gradually add the beef broth and thyme, stirring continuously. Scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot for added flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
Toast the Bread
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the slices of French bread on a baking sheet and toast them for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
Serve
  1. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, place a slice of toasted bread on top, and generously sprinkle the Gruyère cheese over the bread.
  2. Broil the bowls in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Notes

Consider mixing yellow onions with red onions for unique flavors. Allow the soup to simmer longer for enhanced taste. Avoid burning the onions while caramelizing by reducing heat if necessary.