French Onion Soup Recipe (2024)

An intensely savory caramelized onion broth topped off with a thick, toasty hunk of bread, all beneath a lid of golden, bubbly cheese, this classic French Onion Soup recipe is a masterpiece.

French onion soup ingredients—onions (lots of them), beef broth, a bit of white wine, bread, and cheese—are humble.

One secret ingredient transforms them into one of the world’s greatest comfort foods: time.

French onion soup tastes like sweet caramelized onions, with intense savory notes from beef broth, wine, and brandy.

The consistency is brothy at first, but as the bread soaks up some of the liquid, it thickens. It’s heavenly.

About French Onion Soup

French onion soup is actually French (like this classic French Beef Bourguignon or French Omelette), and it remains popular in France to this day.

If you’d like to order French onion soup in France, it’s soupe à l’oignon.

While stories as to who first made it abound (was it Louis XV at his hunting lodge? Duke of Lorraine, father of the Queen of France?), its rise to popularity is rooted in practicality—onions were in expensive, making the soup economical.

(Another fun story: apparently the strong scent of the Gruyère cheese on top masked the smell of alcohol from the night before, and it was a popular hangover food.)

Since we can’t go back in time (or hop a flight to Paris!) anytime we’re craving it, I set out to create an authentic French onion soup recipe that lived up the French onion soups I’ve tried in France.

This is it! Let’s make the world’s best French onion soup.

How to Make the Best French Onion Soup

French onion soup broth is made of caramelized onions, beef broth, wine, and one very important addition…

The secret ingredient in French onion soup is time.

• To deepen the flavor of French onion soup, the onions need 45 minutes or longer to caramelize.
• From there, you add a few flavor enhancers—wine, brandy, and beef stock—but without that caramelized onion base, you won’t have the bewitchingly complex French onion soup of your dreams.

Start the onions sautéing in the background, then carry on with other tasks in the kitchen and give the onions a stir every few minutes.

Looking for a quicker version? Check out my Instant Pot French Onion Soup.

The Ingredients

• Yellow Onions. Frequently a member of the supporting cast, onions get their moment at center stage in this recipe. Their inherent sweetness is celebrated through the caramelization process. They become ultra tender and add momentous depth of flavor to the broth.

• Butter. This is French and butter is a must-have. It helps add rich flavor to the onions as they’re caramelizing.
• Wine. While you can make French onion soup without wine (simply use additional beef stock to deglaze the pot and a dash of Worcestershire sauce for complexity), I love the touch of acid wine adds to cut through the richness, and it just feels so French. White wine or dry vermouth (a fortified wine) are classic. Red wine can also be used.
• Beef Stock. Traditional French recipes (like Julia Child’s French onion soup) call for homemade beef stock or broth, but I don’t think it’s necessary to have delicious French onion soup. I have great results with good-quality, store-bought broth.
• Bay Leaf. Adds a subtle savoriness.
• Brandy. Pulls all the flavors together and adds a hint of sweetness.
• Cheese Toast Slices. A slice of French bread or baguette topped with olive oil and Gruyère cheese is a major selling point for this delicious soup.
• Chives. A tasty way to garnish your soup and add some color. Fresh thyme sprigs are also lovely.

The Directions

1. Halve, peel, and cut the onions.

2. Melt the butter in a large pot, then add the onions.

3. Cook and stir until softened.

4. Add part of the salt, then reduce the heat to medium low. Cook and stir until caramelized—this will take 45 minutes or longer. WORTH IT.

5. Stir in the wine, scraping up any stuck-on, browned bits from the pan.

6. Add the stock, bay leaf, pepper, and remaining salt. Bring the soup to a boil, then let simmer for 30 minutes. Add the brandy. Discard the bay leaf.

7. Brush the bread slices with olive oil and toast in the oven at 450 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes.

8. Flip the bread slices over, top with cheese, and bake for another 2 to 3 minutes. Serve in soup bowls with a slice of bread and chives. ENJOY!

Storage Tips

• To Store. Refrigerate soup in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. Store bread separately in an airtight storage container at room temperature.
• To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. If desired, toast leftover bread on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees.
• To Freeze. Freeze soup in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with French Onion Soup

This French onion soup is definitely hearty enough to enjoy on its own as a main meal, but here are a few ideas of what would pair well with it:

• Salad. Niçoise Salad or Vegetarian Niçoise Salad would both be tasty options. A simple Arugula Salad would work well too.
• Sandwich. The ultimate pairing is French onion soup and a croque madame or monsieur. Use my Magic Multigrain Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread to whip one up, or simply upgrade an Air Fryer Grilled Cheese with sliced ham and Gruyère cheese.
• Roasted Vegetables. Try Roasted Tomatoes, Roasted Green Beans, or Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
• Chicken. Pair this soup with Chicken Francaise for a hearty meal.
• Salmon. Air Fryer Salmon would be delicious with this soup.

• Dutch Oven. Perfect for making soups and stews.
• Cheese Grater. Grating your own cheese is worth the extra step.
• Wooden Spoon. Great for stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot.

French onion soup is special.

Yes, it takes time, but once you sink your spoon into that cheesy bread and scoop the savory onion broth below, you’ll know it’s undoubtedly time well spent.