If you look up ‘comfort food’ in a dictionary, I’m pretty sure that you will see a picture of French Onion Soup. Is there a better dish to serve on a cozy fall day? I think not.
While spending a weekend at our family cottage I was bound and determined to serve up my best possible version of this dish. Using Jamie Oliver as an inspiration, I came up with this recipe. I must say, I’m pretty thrilled and so was the crew.
Onions are one of those vegetables that don’t get a lot of love. But they’re actually packed with disease-fighting antioxidants (may help fight cancer and diabetes) and are a good source of vitamin C and B6, iron, folate, and potassium. Not bad for a humble onion!
If you’re like me and jumping on the soup train for fall I’d also recommend trying my Hearty Lentil Soup, Italian Peasant Soup, Potato Broccoli Soup, or Roasted Tomato Pepper Soup. Apparently I really do have a ‘thing’ for soup… as you can tell if you search ‘soup’ on the blog!
If you want to make this vegan simply leave out the cheese – it’s not totally the same of course (you can try dairy free cheese – the CHAO brand has been a hit with us). Use low sodium stock to cut back on the sodium if needed.
FRENCH ONION SOUP
French Onion Soup
This classic French Onion soup is like a warm hug on a cold day. It uses a few simple ingredients and comes together in an hour!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoons butter
- 12 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (approximately 6 onions)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh thyme (or 6 sprigs tied together with twine)
- 3/4 cup good quality red wine
- 2 litres prepared beef stock
- salt & pepper to taste
- Parmesan Thyme Croutons (recipe below)
- 1 1/2 cups grated gruyere cheese
- 6 small sprigs fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions
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In a large heavy pot, heat oil and butter over medium-low heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until they are fragrant and soft. Add the thyme.
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Turn the heat down to low and continue to cook for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to turn light golden brown.
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Add the wine and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring.
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Add the beef stock and season with salt and pepper to your liking.
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Preheat the broiler setting on the oven.
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Place 6 heat-safe soup dishes on a cookie sheet and ladle in the soup. Place a handful of croutons on top of each dish and immediately top with a handful of the grated cheese and a sprig of thyme. Broil the soup until the cheese starts to bubble and turn brown. Serve immediately (with a salad to round out the meal)!
PARMESAN THYME CROUTONS
Parmesan Thyme Croutons
These croutons are the perfect addition to this French onion soup!
Ingredients
- 1 day-old baguette diced into 1/2″ squares
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 clove of garlic crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoon fresh grated parmesan
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350F
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Place the diced baguette in a large bowl. Combine olive oil, thyme, rosemary, salt and garlic in a separate bowl and toss with the baguette until evenly coated.
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Spread the baguette evenly on the baking sheet and sprinkle the grated parmesan evenly over the croutons. Toss them with your hands until the parmesan has coated the croutons.
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Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes, tossing occasionally to make sure that they are evenly browned. Cool before serving over the soup.
Gotta try this!! Making me hungry!! Mmmmm
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I’m dying to try this. But I’m curious your recommendation for the red wine? Unfortunately my red wine knowledge is limited.
Thanks for always providing such beautiful and delicious recipes!
Hi Stephanie! I use a dry red wine: you can use a Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon… Thanks for following along!
Any substitutes for wine?
Hi Zee! You can use extra stock and skip the wine if need be!
This looks so yummy! We may actually have a “snow day” here in Oklahoma tomorrow so I’m thinking this would be perfect comfort food for the fam while we’re snuggled inside by the fire!
Awesome Kristina! Would love to know if you make it – sounds like a cozy day indeed! Tori
Looks delicious!!! Craving this meal now!
Thank you lovely! Miss you!! xo
Is the alcohol burnt off when it is cooked? Asking from a newly pregnant momma!
Most of it is.. the longer it cooks the more alcohol that is burnt off!
Can you make a large batch of croutons and freeze them??
Yes you can!
I made this last night wow 😮
My kids who “Hate” onions are it up
Croutons amazing.
Thanks Tori and happy holidays
This recipe is incredible!!
I have since had french onion soup at my old “favourite” restaurant for French Onion Soup and it does not do justice to this recipe!
The homemade croutons sure top it off!
Thank-you for sharing!
Thank you Shelley that’s such a great compliment! I appreciate you taking the time to write that! Tori
I love this soup! Fall is coming and I am looking forward to lots of homemade soup. I have been trying to find a soup recipe or post you did with leftover roasted veggies and cashew cream with no luck. Could you share that again, please?
It’s actually in the cookbook!
Add a little less wine and a little bit of cognac (about 1/4 cup) at the end of stovetop cooking time, and it’s a great finish for an adult comfort meal (with a beautiful glass of red, of course)! And, you’re right Tori – gruyere is key, not Swiss…Great recipe!
That sounds delicious Sonya! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Hi Tori
Could I veganize with vegetable broth? I would use homemade vegan cheese.
yes you could!
I want to try this recipe but don’t have any french soup bowls. Where are your from?
Hi Marija, mine are from the Canadian Restaurant Supply shop in Kelowna!!
Hi Tori,
After I add my broth how long do I cook it before putting it in the pot in the oven?
Thank you!
Hi Maryann, you actually only put the dishes once divided in the oven at the very end when you put the bread and the cheese on. The whole pot doesn’t go in the oven if that helps?
Oh my goodness! Where did you get the cute white soup bowls with the little handles? I love these so much and need them in my life!
I got them at CRS a restaurant supply store here in Kelowna!
Skipped the wine and added more stock. Was perfect
This is the best onion soup ever!!!
Thanks Megan!!! I really appreciate that! Tori
Tori, can you please provide the source of your beautiful French onion soup bowls?? I can’t wait to try this recipe soon!! You never disappoint! Happy New Year!
Hi Jocelynn! I got them at CRS in Kelowna ages ago! Happy New Year! xx