My Best French Onion Soup

This French Onion Soup recipe has been perfected over years, with careful testing and approval from the entire family. Even the kids love it—Sofia requested it for her birthday, which says a lot about how special this dish has become in our home!

Initially, I struggled to understand why onion soup is such a classic, but after dissecting each step, I created a recipe that’s now a family staple. It’s creamy, aromatic, and slightly sweet, making for an incredibly delicious experience. Below is my tried-and-true version, with recommendations you can adapt to suit your family's tastes.

Ingredients
Meat broth
1 l
choose a broth with a flavor you enjoy
White onion
1 kg
Butter
80 g
Sugar
1 tsp
optional
Thyme
1 piece
1 sprig
White flour
2 tbsp
White dry wine
100 ml
Salt
1 tbsp
adjust to taste
Laurel leaves
1 piece
Ground black pepper
0.25 tsp
Yellow cheese
200 g
Gruyere recommended, but any favorite cheese works
French baguette
1 piece
Step by step
Step 1

Prepare a batch of your favorite broth ahead of time; I usually use turkey broth.

Add an extra liter of water to the pot when making turkey soup, then freeze the surplus to have ready for onion soup anytime.

 

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 1
Step 2

Freeze the extra broth in a container, making sure to defrost it in advance when you’re ready to make onion soup.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 2
Step 3

Use exactly 1 liter of broth to make four servings of onion soup.

Feel free to experiment with different broths (chicken, turkey, or vegetable) and choose the one with a flavor you love before starting the recipe.

I find beef broth a bit intense for this soup, but it may still work well for some tastes.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 3
Step 4

Peel, wash, and julienne 1 kg of white or yellow onions.

Add 80g of butter, all the onions, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 sprig of thyme to a heavy-bottomed pot.

Avoid excessive thyme as it can overwhelm the flavor.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 4
Step 5

Start cooking over medium-high heat until the onions begin to soften and release their juices.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 5
Step 6

Reduce to low heat and let the onions cook slowly for over an hour. They will release moisture, brown, and caramelize, developing a rich flavor.

Stir occasionally.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 6
Step 7

While the onions cook, toast 2 tablespoons of flour in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring frequently until it changes color. Be careful not to burn it.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 7
Step 8

After about an hour, the onions should be caramelized, with a rich brown color and a pleasant aroma.

This is when the soup comes together.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 8
Step 9

Add 100 ml of dry white wine to the pot, stirring on high heat until it evaporates completely. Letting it cook off fully will leave only the wine’s aroma in the soup.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 9
Step 10

Add the toasted flour to the onions and stir to combine.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 10
Step 11

Pour in 1 liter of prepared broth.

Depending on your preference, you can add more broth to make the soup thinner or keep it thicker for a creamier texture.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 11
Step 12

Mix everything well, adding salt to taste, along with the bay leaf and ground black pepper.

Let it boil for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 12
Step 13

For serving, toast slices of baguette on a grill pan (sprinkle with a little olive oil and herbs if desired, but this is optional).

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 13
Step 14

Grate your preferred cheese.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 14
Step 15

Place oven-safe soup bowls on a baking tray. Pour the onion soup into the bowls, leaving space for the baguette and cheese.

Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprig.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 15
Step 16

Top the soup with toasted baguette slices and a generous handful of grated cheese.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 16
Step 17

Place the tray in the oven, using the grill setting if available, and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts.

If your oven lacks a grill mode, use the top heating mode and position the tray higher.

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 17
Step 18

Serve the soup immediately while it’s hot, with the cheese still melted.

You can prepare the soup in stages, reheating it and adding baguette and cheese just before serving.

This soup is creamy, savory, and simply unique.

Enjoy every spoonful!

My Best French Onion Soup - Step 18
Quantity: 4 serv (4-5 medium portions)
Prep time:
120 min
Difficulty: intermediate
Ready in: 120 min