Description
This classic French Onion Soup recipe features slowly caramelized onions simmered in rich beef stock, topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Comté cheese. The combination of savory, sweet onions and nutty cheese gratinée creates a comforting and elegant dish perfect for any cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup
- 8 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 50g butter
- 1200ml beef stock
- 15g fresh thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking
Topping
- 400g baguette, sliced
- 150g Comté cheese, grated
Instructions
- Prepare onions and garlic: Thinly slice the onions and peel the garlic cloves carefully to ensure even cooking and flavor release.
- Heat oil and salt: Warm olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add a pinch of salt to help draw out moisture from the onions.
- Caramelize onions: Cook the sliced onions slowly for about 30 minutes until they become soft and turn a pale golden color, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and promote even caramelization.
- Add garlic and butter: Stir in the peeled garlic cloves and butter, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until they release a fragrant aroma, enhancing the soup’s depth.
- Simmer with stock and thyme: Pour in the beef stock and add fresh thyme; bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Season to taste: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt as needed to balance the flavors perfectly.
- Assemble in bowls: Divide the soup evenly into oven-proof bowls; top each with slices of baguette and generously sprinkle grated Comté cheese over the bread.
- Broil cheese topping: Place the bowls under a broiler and cook until the Comté cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, creating a delicious gratinée finish.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef stock with vegetable stock.
- Use gruyère cheese if Comté is unavailable for a similar flavor profile.
- Slow cooking the onions is key to developing the soup’s rich sweetness.
- Ensure the oven-proof bowls are safe for broiling to avoid accidents.
- This soup pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or a light white wine.
