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    Home » Soups

    French Onion Soup Recipe

    Published: Apr 4, 2009 · Modified: Feb 16, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 5 Comments

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    This classic French onion soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food on a cold day.
    French Onion Soup

    French Onion Soup Recipe

    I have always wanted to make French Onion Soup and even bought some cute French Onion crocks about three years ago. Well, I finally dug them out of my basement, cleaned out the cobwebs (literally), and set to work.

    Start with 6 yellow onions and 6 cloves of garlic and slice them thinly.

    Perhaps some of you are lucky enough not to be effected by the onion curse but, for me, it's not pretty. I've been told to put the onions in the freezer for about half an hour before slicing them to combat the tearing effect. Do I ever think to do that? Of course not. Instead, I choose to weep my way through slicing. Literally, I have tears pouring down my cheeks. It's so bad that my 7- and 4-year old sons look at me as though I have finally lost it. So, after this most recent episode, I ask my husband if any of my makeup ran. His response: "Just a tiny bit under one eye." Nothing to worry about. While we're sitting down to dinner later, my 7-year old asks me, "Mum, what happened to your eye?" I wander into the bathroom to take a gander and what do I find? My mascara has fully migrated about an inch and a half under my left eye. Thanks honey - appreciate the thorough scrutiny. Thank God the UPS hottie hadn't come to my door. (Honey, sorry to throw you under the bus on the inaugural post. I love you...you're a big, strong man...and other sucking-up things.)

    Moving on. Set a large pot over medium heat and melt ¼ cup (½ stick) of butter. Do you think it's time for me to buy new cookware? I know all of you are dying to eat at my house so you can increase the metal content in your blood, thanks to my peeling nonstick surfaces.

    Throw in the onions and garlic and add 1 teaspoon of dried thyme. I think a few sprigs of fresh thyme would be nicer, but I forgot to pick some up at the store.

    Cook the mixture for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and brown. The caramelization gives them a rich, sweet flavour that is to die for.

    Add ½ cup red wine and 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar. Make sure to use a wine that you'd actually drink. Your meals will only be as good as the ingredients you use. If you drink wine from a box, I don't want to know about it!

    Reduce the wine and vinegar to a glaze, about 3 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned onion bits from the bottom of your pot. They'll add flavour (or, in my case, flavour and heavy metals. Love that!).

    Add 1 tsp. Dijon mustard and 6 cups canned beef broth. I know, homemade beef broth is better, but that just wasn't going to happen. Simmer 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.


    Do you like the use of the daffodils to block any unseemly clutter in the background?

    Place 12 (or 4 if you're using a larger French bread) baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes.

    Preheat the broiler. Ladle the soup into ovenproof bowls and top each with 3 slices of baguette toasts and ¼ cup grated Swiss cheese (Gruyere or Emmenthal will give you the best flavour). Broil until the cheese is melted and brown, about 3 minutes. The browned cheese bits are the best so don't take the bowls out of the oven too soon.

    White crock filled with French onion soup, on patterned placemat.

    French Onion Soup Recipe

    This classic French onion soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food on a cold day.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soups
    Cuisine: French
    Keyword: Comfort Foods, French Onion Soup
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 428kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
    • 6 yellow onions thinly sliced
    • 6 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
    • 6 cups beef broth
    • 1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 4 slices baguette or 12 slices if using a skinny baguette
    • 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese or Emmenthal cheese
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    Instructions

    • Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and thyme and cook for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion are very soft and brown.
    • Add the wine and balsamic vinegar and stir until syrupy, about 3 minutes. Add the beef broth and Dijon mustard and simmer about 20 minutes.
    • Place the baguette slices on a cookie sheet and toast in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes.
    • Preheat the broiler. Ladle the soup into ovenproof bowls and top each with 3 baguette slices and ¼ cup cheese. Broil until the cheese is bubbling and slightly brown. Serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25of Recipe | Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1670mg | Potassium: 515mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 667IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 434mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Karen @ The Food Charlatan

        September 22, 2014 at 10:01 pm

        French Onion Soup...food for the soul 🙂 I'm laughing at your friend's comment about reading this and the Pioneer Woman, because my mother in law told me the same thing when I started my blog!

        Reply
      2. Anonymous

        April 06, 2009 at 9:16 pm

        I've always wanted to try French onion soup. Thanks for the recipe and the pictures. Looks delicious!

        Reply
      3. Anonymous

        April 04, 2009 at 6:16 pm

        hi dara
        glad u chose the canuck name :)....now i am going to have to visit your blog as frequently as the pioneer womans.....between the 2 of you, maybe i will be inspired to cook... just maybe....
        great site
        ka x

        Reply
      4. Dara

        April 04, 2009 at 2:07 pm

        Thanks, HH. I figured your family would like the Kirkland nod.

        Reply
      5. Anonymous

        April 04, 2009 at 12:46 pm

        Great recipe, keep 'em comin! Love the shout out to your family, Kirkland Signature Balsamic, and the UPS hottie! ~HH

        Reply

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      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

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