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French Onion Soup
This easy French Onion Soup gets it's flavor from deeply caramelized onions and a punch of brightness from balsamic vinegar.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 8 servings (1 cup each)
Calories: 264 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Soup
Cuisine:
French , American
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 pounds onions halved and thinly sliced (see note 1)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar optional (see note 2)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme minced, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, plus more for garnish
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 baguette sliced and toasted (see note 3)
- 8 slices gruyere cheese or Swiss cheese, or 2 cups shredded
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, melt olive oil and butter together. Add onions, sugar (if using), and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook until the onions are starting to darken and caramelize, about 30 minutes.
- Stir in vinegar and scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Add chicken broth, beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer until reduced slightly, about 20 minutes. Season to taste salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven broiler on HIGH. Place broiler-safe soup bowls on a rimmed baking sheet. Divide the soup evenly among the 8 bowls (about 1 cup each). Top each bowl with 1 or 2 baguette slices and cover with one slice of cheese (or 1/4 cup shredded).
- Broil until the cheese is hot and bubbly, about 3 to 5 minutes, then remove from oven and garnish with fresh thyme if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Onions: Standard yellow onions work great, but so do white onions, sweet onions, or even red onions. Speed up prep time by running the onions through a food processor rather than cutting onions by hand.
- Sugar: A touch of sugar coaxes along the caramelization process, but it's up to you if you want to add it.
- Baguette: Toasting the baguette slices makes them even better at sopping up the maximum amount of broth while holding the melty cheese. If desired, substitute store-bought or homemade croutons.
- Yield: My homemade French Onion Soup recipe makes eight cozy (1-cup) servings that work well as a starter, side dish, or light main dish.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 cup
Calories
264kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
23mg
(8%)
Sodium
1127mg
(47%)
Potassium
489mg
(14%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
410IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
28mg
(31%)
Calcium
219mg
(22%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings (1 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 264
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 cup | |
| Calories | 264kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 23mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 1127mg | 47% |
| Potassium | 489mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 410IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 28mg | 31% |
| Calcium | 219mg | 22% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.