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French Onion Soup with Gruyere and Baguette

French Onion Soup with Gruyere and Baguette
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French Onion Soup with Gruyere and Baguette is a classic French comfort food featuring deeply caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and melted Gruyere cheese atop toasted baguette slices. This hearty, warm soup balances sweet and savory flavors with a perfect mix of textures, making it ideal for cozy dinners or elegant starters.

Ingredients

Scale

Onions and Cooking Fats

  • 4–5 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Broth and Flavorings

  • 6 cups beef broth (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or sherry
  • 2 sprigs thyme (or substitute rosemary or sage)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Bread and Cheese

  • 1 baguette, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (or Swiss, Emmental, or mozzarella as alternatives)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Begin by thinly slicing 4-5 large yellow onions. In a heavy-bottomed pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat, then add the onions. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown and develop intense sweetness.
  2. Deglaze and Build Flavor: Pour in dry white wine or sherry to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper, then stir in the beef broth. Let the soup simmer gently for 30 minutes to meld all the flavors together.
  3. Prepare the Baguette Toasts: While the soup simmers, slice the baguette into 1-inch thick pieces. Toast them in the oven until golden and crisp to ensure they hold up under the broth and melted cheese.
  4. Assemble and Broil: Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, place a toasted baguette slice on top of each, and generously cover with shredded Gruyere cheese. Place the bowls under the broiler until the cheese bubbles, melts, and forms a golden crust.
  5. Serve Hot and Enjoy: Carefully remove the hot bowls, garnish with fresh parsley or thyme if desired, and serve immediately to savor the comforting layers of warmth, texture, and flavor in every spoonful.

Notes

  • Patience with caramelization: Take your time—slow cooking onions is key to achieving that rich, sweet flavor.
  • Use a heavy pot or Dutch oven to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.
  • Choose quality broth; homemade or premium brands make a big difference.
  • Don’t skimp on cheese; Gruyere melts beautifully and adds nutty complexity.
  • Keep an eye on the cheese while broiling to avoid burning and achieve a perfect golden crust.
  • Serve soup immediately after broiling for ideal cheese pull and toast texture.
  • Store toasted bread and cheese separately to avoid sogginess when storing leftovers.
  • Vegetarian version: substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
  • Gluten-free option: use gluten-free bread instead of traditional baguette.

Nutrition

Keywords: French Onion Soup, Gruyere, Baguette, caramelized onions, comfort food, French cuisine, soup recipe

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/french-onion-soup-with-gruyere-and-baguette/