Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (2024)

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The Blonde Abroad

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Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (62)

Kicking off our ‘Recipes Around the World’ series, Jessica of Bon Traveler is here to share her grandmother’s French Onion Soup! Here’s Jessica with all the details:

If there’s one dish that been part of my life since I was young, it is undoubtedly French Onion Soup. My Mamy (French for grandmother) has been making me this soul-warming soup from day one. It’s a dish near to my heart.

My go-to for a filling dinner, or when I want to slow down and read a book on the weekend — French Onion Soup knows how to fit all moods.

Surprisingly it’s a rather complicated recipe to execute even though there are only a few ingredients. I’ve seen many variations of the soup, many missing key parts. The onions are not cut properly, changing the consistency, or the broth is too thick or too thin.

The trick? A tried and true family recipe hailing from the French countryside.

I spent the day with my Mamy, experimenting with proportions and taste. Often times she just “wings” the recipe, and cooks according to sight and taste — this time I marked exact portions.

Here’s how to make French Onion Soup at home! Bon appétit!

Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (63)

About This Dish

Rooted deep in the history of France, French Onion Soup has been a staple of at-home meals, brasseries, and cafés alike.

The hearty soup compromised of simple ingredients is the perfect combination of both the savory and the sweet. Crisp country bread topped with melting cheese and you have yourself a soup that wins over any newcomer.

Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (64)

Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (65)Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (66)

Ingredients

*Serves 4 people

  • 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced (not chopped)
  • 6 tbsp of butter
  • 1/8 cup of flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 box of beef broth
  • 2 cups of shredded Gruyere cheese
  • A baguette, well toasted and thickly sliced

Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (67)

Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (68)Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (69)Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (70)

Preparation

  1. Sauté the onions in butter until golden brown.
  2. Turn the heat off, add in the flour on top of onions, stirring slowly to mix well.
  3. Turn the heat back on medium, slowly adding the beef broth, mixing it in well with the flour and onions (be sure there are no lumps). Bring to a boil then simmer for 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Put your oven on broil as the soup boils.
  5. Grab oven-safe bowls, and place the well-toasted baguette slices at the bottom.
  6. Check broth, it should be mildly thick, but not too thin. Add flour if need be.
  7. Spoon in the broth on top of the baguette slices and the bread should float to the top. If not pull up with a spoon to the surface.
  8. Sprinkle shredded Gruyere cheese on top and place in the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and sizzling.
  9. Enjoy!

Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (71)

Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (72)

French Onion Soup fits all moods—it can be the whole meal or a side bowl of savory soup to complement all sorts of dishes.

Notes from Grandmother

  • Never leave the kitchen! Always watch over the onions.
  • Cooking requires patience.
  • Be your own judge for the quantities and portions.
  • Be careful with the salt in the broth, as the cheese on top will be salty.

Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (73)

Find more goodies from Jessica on her blog: Bon Traveler!

By Jessica Wright

Jessica Wright is a full-time travel blogger based out of Northern California. As a photographer and writer, she shares her travels and inspiration on Bon Traveler. Her blog is dedicated to curated destination guides, travel tips, and inspiring spaces. You can find pieces of her adventures daily on her Instagram.

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Reader Interactions

Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (81)

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  1. Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (82) Hannah Brown

    Hi Jessica! I love to cook and I have had so much extra time to cook while in quarantine as I have been home so much more. I look forward to trying this French Onion Soup! Thanks for such a fun guest blog post!! X

    April 24, 2020 at 9:03 pm· Reply

    • Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (83) The Blonde Abroad

      Hey Hannah! Such a delicious recipe Jessica contributed. I hope you enjoy! 🙂

      May 14, 2020 at 7:41 pm· Reply

  2. Cooking is my love language, and this recipe looks and sounds so delicious. Will definitely have to try it. Thanks for sharing!

    May 24, 2023 at 4:35 pm· Reply

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Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (90)

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Recipes Around the World: French Onion Soup (2024)

FAQs

How do you deepen the flavor of French onion soup? ›

A few sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf elevate the soup even more, but I take it a step further, adding a splash of fish sauce for complexity and depth—don't worry, it won't taste fishy—and a hit of cider vinegar to balance some of that oniony sweetness.

Who was the first person to make French onion soup? ›

It is said that it was invented by none other than King Louis XV late one night at his hunting lodge when he was very hungry. When he only found onions, butter, and champagne in the pantry, he decided to use the three ingredients to make the French onion soup for the very first time.

What is the difference between onion soup and French onion soup? ›

What is the Difference Between Onion Soup and French Onion Soup? French onion soup is always made with beef stock. Other onion soups can be made with chicken, vegetable, or beef stock. Additionally, French onion soup typically contains wine or sherry, which isn't typical or necessary in other onion soups.

Why do you put baking soda in French onion soup? ›

The caramelized onions for this soup cook more quickly due to a pinch of baking soda but still have that deep, slow-cooked flavor. Topping the soup with hot, cheesy toasts prepared while the soup simmers, eliminates the need to bake the soup in specialty French onion soup bowls.

Why does my French onion soup taste burnt? ›

If the heat is too high, the onions will burn. If you don't stir often at beginning and almost constantly toward the end, the onions will burn. If one little bit burns the whole batch needs to be tossed. Otherwise the soup ends up tasting like burnt onion.

What is a fun fact about French onion soup? ›

Its history

A legend has helped to restore the image of this soup: it is said that while King Louis XV slept in his hunting lodge, he woke up because of a nocturnal craving. He would then have made a soup from what he had on hand: onions, butter and champagne.

Did Vikings eat onion soup? ›

Parsnips grew wild at the time in Scandinavia, and are known from the sagas. The vikings were cultivating a wide array of onions, and we know for sure that they ate pea and onion soup. one particular popular onion was Garlauk, meaning farm onion, which of course is the same as Garlick.

Why did Vikings eat onion soup? ›

Wounded Viking warriors ate strong onion soup.

If a man was wounded in the stomach during a battle, women would feed them a potent onion soup. If they could smell the broth through the wound, they knew the stomach wall was cut—signaling that the man would not survive his wounds.

How do you thicken French onion soup? ›

If you want to thicken your French onion soup, you can add a bit of flour. Combine a couple of tablespoons of flour with a teaspoon of salt and whisk in about a quarter cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, until thickened.

What if my French onion soup is too sweet? ›

If the soup is too sweet, add some vinegar. If you would like a little more depth, add a splash of red wine. I like the onion-to-liquid ratio with 6 cups of water. But if you'd prefer a slightly more delicate soup, add an additional 1 cup/240 milliliters water or to taste.

Are yellow or white onions better for French onion soup? ›

French onion soup is traditionally made with thinly sliced yellow onions. You can also make delicious soup with red or white onions – it just depends on your flavor preferences and what you have on hand.

Can you eat bread with French onion soup? ›

Yes. French (Parisian, really) onion soup is traditionally served either on top of, or topped with a croute / croûton. That is, a crunchy piece of white bread.

What are 3 French soups? ›

French soups and stews
  • Bisque.
  • Bouillabaisse – a stew of mixed herbs, fish, and vegetables.
  • Consommé
  • French onion soup.
  • Garbure – a thick French soup or stew of ham with cabbage and other vegetables, usually with cheese and stale bread added.
  • Lettuce soup.

How do you eat Costco French onion soup? ›

Heat 1 soup for 3 minutes on HIGH in the microwave oven (1200 W). Remove soup from microwave oven; sprinkle about 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of additional shredded Swiss or other firm cheese over top of soup. Heat for 20 minutes in preheated oven or until the cheese becomes golden brown.

How do you doctor up canned French onion soup? ›

Infusing the soup with a richer taste is as easy as quickly sauteing crushed garlic before pouring the soup in. Some soft, buttery garlic sauteed in earthy olive oil is the perfect addition to enrich canned French onion soup.

How do you make soup taste stronger? ›

Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meats or broth, and fresh herbs to add depth of flavor. Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex.

What spices add depth to soup? ›

Herbs and sources add flavor, aroma, and intensity to the soup broth. You can pick fresh or dried herbs like basil for tomato-based soups or fresh parsley for clear broths. You may also add more spices like turmeric, ground ginger, ground paprika, or nutmeg for a touch of spice and color to your soup broth.

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