Ingredients
Onions & Aromatics
- 4 onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Liquid Ingredients
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère (or Swiss) cheese
- Croutons or bread (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Slowly melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions and cook gently, stirring frequently, for 30 to 40 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown and are fully caramelized, which develops the soup’s signature rich flavor.
- Add Flavorings and Broth: Stir in thyme, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Then pour in the beef broth, mixing well to combine all the ingredients.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes to meld the flavors and deepen the broth’s richness.
- Prepare Serving Bowls: Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each with croutons or slices of bread to soak up the broth, then generously sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese over the top.
- Broil the Cheese: Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil under high heat until the cheese melts, bubbles, and turns golden brown, creating a delicious crust. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Caramelizing the onions slowly is critical to develop the deep, sweet flavors necessary for an authentic French onion soup.
- For a low-carb or keto-friendly version, substitute traditional bread with keto bread or parmesan crisps as the topping.
- Using a Dutch oven allows even heat distribution, perfect for long caramelization and simmering.
- Gruyère is the classic cheese choice, but Swiss cheese can be used as a substitute if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop and Broiling
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten Free (if no bread used)
