French Onion Soup - Grumpy's Honeybunch (2024)

Easy French Onion Soup recipe is full of caramelized onions that have been simmered in red wine and beef broth, then put under the broiler to melt the cheese on top. It makes a delicious appetizer to your main meal or enjoy a side to your favorite sandwich.

If you love French Onion Soup then you need to make this classic recipe! a delicious lunch or a great appetizer before dinner. Great for special family dinners or a romantic evening meal at home. This soup recipe warms your heart and soul and will make your guests tastebuds happy.

❤️ Why you'll love it

Comfort food: french onion soup is the perfect comfort food for chilly days!

Great starter: for those who like to start their meal off with a soup appetizer, this soup with its caramelized onion broth and cheesy top is the perfect choice.

Gooey cheese: you will love the gooey cheese topping with the crispy cheese that drips down the side of the bowl.

🥘 Ingredients

Olive oil or butter: to simmer the onions.

Onions: I like to use a sweet onion like Vidalia but large yellow onions can be used as well.

Beef Broth: Use a good quality broth. Bone broth is a good one to use. This is my favorite brand!

Fresh Thyme: I always have fresh thyme in my refrigerator. If you don't have fresh, that is ok, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon dried thyme.

Bay Leaf: this will be used to flavor the soup while it is simmering, be sure to remove it before serving.

Swiss cheese: Swiss is traditional (from what I have seen anyway!) but you can substitute shredded gruyere cheese, provolone, or parmesan cheese in place of the swiss.

Salt and ground black pepper: to add flavor

Dry red wine: any dry red wine you have for drinking will work for this soup recipe. I used a cabernet. Beef stock can be used in place of the wine.

Bread: Use a sturdy bread that won't fall apart when adding to the soup, but yet one that you can easily break with a spoon when dipping into the soup bowl. My preference is french bread or a crusty baguette with a firm edge but a chewy center.

🔪 Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook until onions are soft and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
2. Add wine, bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the wine has evaporated and onions start to dry.
3. Discard bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Sprinkle flour over onions and cook stirring so the flour doesn't burn for about 10 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
4. Add the beef broth 1 cup at a time, stirring well while doing so. Bring the soup back to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer another 10 minutes.
5. Ladle soup in oven-safe bowls on a large baking sheet. Arrange toasted bread slices on top of the soup and sprinkle with the cheese.
6. Preheat the oven on broil.
7. Broil for 3 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

🥄 Equipment

Large pot

Flathead wooden spoon

Measuring cups

Oven safe bowls

🥫Storage

Refrigerate: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.

Freeze: freeze leftover french onion soup in an airtight freezer safe container up to 3 months.

Reheat: reheat soup in an 350 degree oven until warmed through.

📖 Variations

• Add a tablespoon balsamic vinegar to the onions while cooking to enhance the flavor of the soup.

💭 Top Tip

Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a great way to brunch!

Roasted Tomato Soup Shooters are great appetizers for holiday guests or special parties at home.

Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese is a delicious vegetarian sandwich to enjoy for lunch or dinner.

🍽 Serve with…

Serve as an appetizer to any main course or as a lunch soup with a sandwich or side salad.

🏫 The last word

I never enjoyed a bowl of French Onion Soup until I visited a restaurant called Barkeaters in Watertown NY. It was my first bowl of soup I ever ordered out that wasn't Clam Chowder! It was so delicious, I knew that one day I would be trying it on my own.

What I loved the most about my first bowl of French Onion Soup was the melty cheese on top of the toast that got all crispy and dripping around the edges of the bowl. I hope you will give this recipe a try and you love it as much as I do!

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!

When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating

📖 Recipe

More Lunch