Easy French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup is cozy, comforting, and surprisingly simple when you break it down. Here’s an easy, classic version, with clear step-by-step directions and no fancy techniques required.

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🧅 Easy French Onion Soup (Classic Style)

🕒 Time

• Prep: 10 minutes

• Cook: 45–60 minutes

• Serves: 4–6

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🧾 Ingredients

• 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

• 3 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp sugar (optional, helps caramelize)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for slightly thicker soup)

• 1½ liters (6 cups) beef broth (or chicken/vegetable broth)

• 120 ml (½ cup) dry white wine (optional)

• 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)

• 1 bay leaf

Topping

• Baguette slices, toasted

• 150–200 g Gruyère cheese, grated
  (Swiss or mozzarella also works)

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🧑‍🍳 Step-by-Step Directions

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Step 1: Slice onions

1. Cut onions in half lengthwise.

2. Slice thinly from root to tip.

👉 Even slices = even caramelization.

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Step 2: Start caramelizing

1. Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Add onions and salt.

3. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

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Step 3: Deep caramelization (the flavor magic)

1. Lower heat to medium-low.

2. Add sugar (optional).

3. Cook 30–40 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

4. Onions should become:

   • Deep golden brown

   • Sweet

   • Jam-like

⚠️ Don’t rush this—this step is the soup.

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Step 4: Add garlic & flour

1. Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds.

2. Sprinkle flour (if using); stir 1 minute.

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Step 5: Deglaze

1. Pour in wine.

2. Scrape up browned bits from the bottom.

3. Simmer 2–3 minutes until reduced.

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Step 6: Add broth & herbs

1. Add broth, thyme, and bay leaf.

2. Bring to a gentle boil.

3. Reduce heat and simmer 15–20 minutes.

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Step 7: Taste & adjust

• Add more salt or pepper if needed

• Remove bay leaf

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🧀 Classic Cheese Topping

Step 8: Prepare bread

1. Preheat oven broiler/grill.

2. Toast baguette slices until golden.

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Step 9: Assemble

1. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls.

2. Float toasted bread on top.

3. Cover generously with cheese.

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Step 10: Broil

1. Broil 2–4 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

2. Watch closely—cheese browns fast.

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🍽️ Serve

• Serve hot

• Careful—it’s molten!

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🌟 Easy Tips & Variations

• No wine? Skip it—still delicious

• Vegetarian: Use vegetable broth

• Extra rich: Add a splash of cream

• Shortcut: Use a wide pan to caramelize faster

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🥄 Why this recipe works

• Simple ingredients

• Big flavor from onions

• Restaurant-quality without stress