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French Onion Soup with Cheesy Baguette Croutons

French Onion Soup with Cheesy Baguette Croutons

Cozy French Onion Soup with rich caramelized onions, savory beef broth, and cheesy baguette croutons. This classic comfort dish is perfect for warming your soul on chilly days with its deep flavors and satisfying textures.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or sherry
  • 6 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cheesy Baguette Croutons

  • 1 baguette, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese (or substitute with cheddar, fontina, or mozzarella)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Melt butter with olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add thinly sliced yellow onions and cook slowly, stirring often, until onions turn golden brown and deeply caramelized, about 40 minutes.
  2. Deglaze and Simmer: Add minced garlic and cook briefly. Pour in dry white wine or sherry to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Add beef broth, fresh thyme sprigs, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 30 minutes to meld flavors.
  3. Prepare the Cheesy Baguette Croutons: While soup simmers, slice baguette into thin rounds and toast under a broiler or toaster oven until slightly golden. Generously layer shredded Gruyère cheese on each slice and broil until melted, bubbly, and starting to brown.
  4. Assemble and Serve: Ladle hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place cheesy baguette croutons on top and broil assembled bowls for a few minutes until cheese is bubbling and golden brown. Serve immediately for best warm, cheesy enjoyment.

Notes

  • Take your time caramelizing the onions over low heat for maximum sweetness and depth.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.
  • Toast baguettes twice: once before adding cheese and again after broiling to keep croutons crisp underneath the cheese.
  • Don’t skip deglazing with wine or sherry to lift browned bits and enhance flavor.
  • Use oven-safe bowls for broiling the cheese directly on the soup.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free baguette substitute)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl with croutons
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 11g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: French Onion Soup, Caramelized Onion Soup, Cheesy Baguette Croutons, Comfort Food, Winter Soup, French Cuisine