Easy French Onion Soup
This Easy French Onion Soup recipe is the perfect saltiness and spice. Gooey cheese and a fantastic taste. This is the best ever classic french onion soup, homemade and delicious.
I’ve been super busy trying to make restaurant favourites at home, just like this Easy Wonton Soup and Slow Cooker Three Cheese Broccoli Soup. A perfect example of make at home perfection is my Olive Garden Copycat, Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Mmmm.
In the Winter months, I crave {and I mean crave} Classic French Onion Soup. Yet, I’m picky with this type of soup, and will only order it at certain restaurants, because it’s amazing how some can be so bland or just off in taste!
I find that some are too salty, others broths too weak, and so on. Let’s just say I appreciate {and devour} a great tasting baked onion soup. This my friends is the best ever french onion soup, and you will not believe how easy it is to make.
One of my goals for this year to ‘eat out’ less though, so I actually haven’t had my favourite soup all Winter. I know, the horror! In an effort to stick to my goals and also have the food I love too, I’ve been like a mad scientist in the kitchen.
I just love making homemade soups and stews. Speaking of, you also NEED to try this Creamy Chicken Stew. YUM!
So, one day when I was mad-craving a great French Onion Soup. It was hold and I simply needed a hot soup. So, I scoured cookbooks and websites trying to find an easy recipe. I found that most were just too detailed.
If you have made this soup before, you might be thinking “well, not really, Tammi”. Truth is, it’s not a complicated recipe and even the lengthy ones were simple.
Yet I wanted so insanely simple, so that I could fill my craving, and now.
Thing is, when this craving for soup strikes, I want something that doesn’t make me want to resort to opening a can.
So simple in direction that I would make it at home on a whim and not feel that I’m making a dinner. Because, it’s soup – it should take as much time as it is to make a whole dinner.
So it’s no surprise that this fan-girl made the best homemade french onion soup recipe ever. And I’m so excited to share it with you.
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How do you make french onion soup from scratch?
What I did was take crucial aspects of a french onion soup, and took out the extras. In fact, this is the best french onion soup recipe without wine.
Bare-boned, classic soup that is effortless without sacrificing on flavour. And, voila. Here it is!
You will need the following ingredients:
- butter
- onions, thinly sliced (sweet onions or large yellow onions)
- condensed beef broth (I’ve used chicken stock in a pinch, not as good but you can)
- thyme
- Gruyere cheese
- Swiss cheese
- French bread
- fresh thyme as garnish, optional
You simply saute onions over medium heat until transparent in colour. I like to use olive oil, but if you can also use white wine or red wine if you’d like. I am not one to ususlaly have a bottle opened, so olive oil it is.
Once done, transfer the onions to the beef broth base and add the spices. Reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Then you ladle soup into oven safe soup bowls.
Following the broth, add in the crisp bread pieces and the blend of Gruyere and Swiss cheese. Sometimes I also add a tad bot of Parmesan cheese as well, because, it’s cheese of course.
I bake my soup dishes on a baking sheet in case some bubbles over. This way it spills to the bottom of the pan and not the bottom of the oven. It’ll be done when the cheese melts, and the edges sticking to the bowls are a golden brown. FYI, those browned bits and the melty cheese are my favourite.
What is the Best Cheese for French Onion Soup?
Now, these cheese you choose does matter when making this simple soup. Yet what kind of cheese? Well, Gruyere cheese is best! Yet, sometimes I get super lazy and just use mozzarella cheese, which you can do and the result is a nice soup.
Yet, choosing that sharper cheese does result in a different and fantastic flavour, so keep that in mind and try to stick with Gruyere.
What kind of Bread to use for French Onion Soup?
I try and get a french loaf for the bread in my french onion soup. Day old is best, as you want a crusty bread. Yet in a pinch, you can toast any bread and it’ll work, especially those heel pieces. I do think french is best, yet I’d use any just to have some at all.
What to Serve with French Onion Soup
While many think of this soup as an appetizer recipe, I love to have it for the main course. After all, you have veggies, cheese, and carbs – and that wonderful rich flavor.
I sometimes like a crusty baguette slice to sponge up the extra broth. Cheesy toast works great too, and you can make this in the oven at the same time, using the same french bread.
Can you Freeze French Onion Soup?
Yes you can freeze French Onion Soup, yet without the cheese and croutons in it. Simply add the soup to freezer safe containers or freezer size bags, and freeze for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Allow to thaw fully and then reheat in the oven with cheese and croutons.
To Store: Store your leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Enjoy the next day!
In short, this real simple onion soup recipe is the perfect saltiness and spice. Gooey cheese and a fantastic taste. Every spoonful leaves you wanting more!
My kids, who wouldn’t go near an onion if you paid them {isn’t that the case with most kids?}, ate about half a bowl each. Colour me impressed!
Plus, it’s a really easy recipe since there’s limited ingredients to chop etc. The first time I made this, was certainly not my last. This is my go-to soup when I need a bowl, no matter the time of year.
The only problem was waiting for the onion mixture to simmer, the house smelled incredible and I almost didn’t wait the full 30 minutes!
Yet, for a good tasting soup, you must – it’s a simple french onion soup, but as with any cooking, the wait is small but intense. Totally worth it though, it’s my favourite soup and I’m sure it’ll be yours as well.
Try this quick recipe for french onion soup and enjoy!
Easy French Onion Soup
This Easy French Onion Soup recipe is the perfect saltiness and spice. Gooey cheese and a fantastic taste. A classic, quick and delicious soup recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 8 cups condensed beef broth
- 2 tsp thyme
- 4 tbsp shredded Gruyere cheese
- 2 tbsp grated swiss cheese
- 4 slices French bread, 1 inch thick
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over medium low heat and melt butter.
- Saute onion for about 8 minutes until transparent in colour.
- In a medium saucepan combine beef broth, sautéed onion along with pepper and thyme and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Under the oven broiler, toast French bread on both sides until crispy.
- Pour French onion soup into 4 individual soup bowls and float desired amount of sliced toasted French bread in each.
- Sprinkle cheeses on top of each {the more, the merrier!}.
- Broil in the oven until the cheese bubbles.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 4 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 389Saturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 678mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 15g
this looks so yummy!
Thanks Holly!
this is one of the easiest onion soup recipes I’ve seen, looks so good! I think I am going to make this one next week, thanks for sharing
It is really easy, and I love that. I definitely have no time to waste, even in the kitchen!
I’ve never had french onion soup before, but that looks delicious! I’ll have to give it a try.
Oh you must!!
Oh my goodness, I have always wanted to try onion soup. Now I must!!!
Wow, I’m surprised you haven’t Kristin, you just have to try it!
This looks so good!!!!
This looks delicious ! I love French Onion soup ! I am going to make this … I just need the bowls !
I’m all about easy. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been wanting a bowl of this ever since it got cold here.
You had me at “easy”. This looks like a recipe I will enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
Let me know what you think when you try it!
Yummeh! Thank you for sharing! I absolutely love french onion soup.
I will be making this soup this weekend.
love french onion soup I add a bit of cooking sherry in mine.
I was debating on doing that ….
Thanks for sharing the recipe. I was looking for a good french onion, my husband loves this soup. I think I will surprise him this evening . Thanks!!!
Nice!! Enjoy Wanda!!
thanks,i am looking forward to trying this
Im making this today!!!
Enjoy Debbie!
Yummm!! I love French Onion soup, thanks for the easy recipe! Will likely be trying this out soon 🙂
Love french onion soup!! Love it even better when it’s easy to make 🙂
I adore French Onion Soup and I used to make my own too. Not made it in a while though so I guess it’s time now that you’ve made me lust after it, my mouth is watering already 🙂
My husband says that onion soup is his favorite. I have not ever made onion soup but I am going to try. I will be printing this out and looking for Gruyere cheese. Never heard of it before and I will attempt and succeed. I am going to surprise him.
We love French Onion soup!
I am not a french onion soup fan but my husband is. I will have to try this recipe out on him…..very simple and straightforward! Thanks!!
Yummy, my Dh likes his French onion soup with toasted garlic bread on it the best.
This is my go to recipe when I’m busy and need supper soon.
Looks great! I love French Onion Soup but my hubby hates it so I only make it now and then as a treat. You now have me craving it!
I have been craving and talking about making french onion soup. I have made it once before in my slow cooker, and it called for sherry! I am going to try your recipe, it looks delicious. Thanks
this looks easy enough for even me to make! thanks for posting!
im not one for french onion soup…my husband has always loved it. but i would definitely love to give this a go. I haven’t tried french onion soup in years and it looks so delicious!
Thanks for this!! I have never tried my hand at making French Onion Soup and am thankful for the “easy” recipe!
I french onion soup i just never thought to make it at home before now! Thanks for the recipe Tammi!
Nothing like a bowl of French onion soup on a cold winters day. It is one of my favourite soups and it’s easy to make so we have it often.
YUM!! I need to make this!!!
My hubby would love this! I am definitely going to try this for him!
What a simple, warm me up recipe. Thanks for sharing
Oh Tammi this looks fabulous! I can’t wait to try it. It’s soooo cold today too the perfect day for it.. i love onion soup!
Oh my word! I can’t wait to try this! My Hubby has never had French Onion Soup!
Can you guess what I am making for dinner tomorrow? I could really use a great big bowl of it with this polar vortex that we are in! Brrrrrrrrr….
Thanks for sharing!
My oh my!!! I am 39 weeks pregnant and ny craving has been French onion soup!!!! I wish I would have had this recipe earlier instead of the frozen stuff I’ve been buying!!! I will have to try this tonight!!! So excited, thanks for the post!!!
THIS IS SO EASY MOM & I MADE IT ONE TIME TOOK US ALL DAY BUT IT DID TASTE LIKE THE RESTURANT HAD MADE IT. THANKS
Two of my favourite things combined together: onion soup and EASY recipes! Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE French Onion soup. Best I’ve ever had is at the Hotel Sofitel in Minneapolis! It is a French hotel chain and they do it so well. I will try this recipe, I recently bought the bowls!
This sounds awesome. I love French Onion Soup also, but seldom find one that’s to my liking. I will be trying this soon, perhaps it can take the chill off of these -30 degree winter days. Thanks for sharing! (I pinned this too!) 😀
This looks amazing! It’s been such a long time since I had French onion soup.
OMG I cannot wait to try this. I have searched for an easy recipe and not found one. A must for this weekend. 🙂
I Love French Onion Soup! Gonna make this organic tonight for Mother’s Day… YummY! Thanks for sharing. Aloha….
Totally drooling! Saving and Pinning. This is one of my 6 yr old daughter’s favourite soups!!! Making this sometime this week!
I love French Onion Soup!
Yum-my! One bowl over here please! Thanks!
love French onion soup, thanks Tammi, going to make some this weekend!
This sounds sooo good – I’m making this THIS weekend, for sure!
This is a very good and tasty soup, we enjoyed it very much!
Made it today, and it was absolutely delicious! I changed a few things, like using fresh Thyme, and added a beef bouillon cube, a bay leaf and a half a cup of white wine.