Homemade French Onion Soup
This post contains affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
The Best French Onion Soup Recipe! This Easy French Onion Soup is hearty and so delicious! Made in no time with only a few ingredients.
Unlike other French onion soups that use tons of butter (and take a really long time!) -we’ve simplified the cooking process of without compromising on the rich, decadent taste that defines a good French onion soup!
Our Healthy Caramelized Onions are the secret ingredient that elevates this classic dish, making it an easy, healthier option, without sacrificing flavor.
This recipe boasts a seamless integration of rich, yet healthy flavors, from the sweetness of caramelized onions to the robustness of beef broth, creating an irresistible combination that everyone you serve it to will enjoy.
For another flavorful soup, try our Pot Roast Soup or Pasta Fagioli Soup! If you like pasta, try our French Onion Pasta or French Onion Orzo!
This is the Best French Onion Soup Recipe!
There is a lot to love about this easy soup recipe. It’s one of our favorite healthy soups because it’s:
- Easy to Make – This soup may look intimidating, but I promise it’s easier than it seems!
- Simple Ingredients – Most of these ingredients are pantry staples that you probably already have on hand!
- Warm and Comforting – The broth in this soup is simply irresistible and perfect on a chilly day!
- Loaded With Flavor – This recipe has all of the flavor (thanks to the broth and spices) while actually being made with good for you ingredients!
What is French Onion Soup?
What Does French Onion Soup Taste Like? It tastes like a sweet onion soup with a flavorful beef broth.
Is French Onion Soup healthy? Onions have amazing anti-inflammatory benefits and if you use a low sodium broth, french onion soup can be a healthy dinner option.
What is the difference between French Onion Soup and Onion Soup?
French Onion Soup features caramelized onions, beef broth, and melted cheese on toasted bread, while “Onion Soup” can refer more broadly to soups with onions as a key ingredient.
Easy French Onion Soup Ingredients
To make this soup you’ll need:
- olive oil
- onions
- white wine, dry red wine
- all purpose flour
- fresh thyme, bay leaves, garlic, salt, pepper
- beef broth
- baguette
- gruyere or provolone cheese
You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded box.
What kind of onion is best for French Onion Soup?
The best onions for caramelized onions are sweet, white onions. I haven’t tried this recipe with red onions but wouldn’t recommend it.
French Onion Soup Recipe Easy Substitution
Olive Oil: You can substitute avocado oil, butter, or ghee.
Fresh Thyme: If you don’t have fresh thyme, add ½ teaspoon of dry thyme.
Red Wine: Use a good quality red wine, something you would drink. If you don’t usually have red wine on hand, you can buy small single serve bottles at most convenience and grocery stores. Dry white wine can be used in place of red wine. Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay both work well for white wine. You can omit the wine altogether, or substitute it with sherry.
Broth: Any broth or stock (broth and stock are the same) can be used in any soup recipe. Beef Broth, Chicken Broth, or vegetable broth all work interchangeably. I always use low or no salt broth.
Can I omit the flour? Yes! The flour mixes together with the olive oil from the caramelized onions to make a roux, which thickens the soup. If you skip the flour, your soup will just be a bit on the thin side. You can also use just 1 tablespoon of flour instead of two, again this will make a thinner soup but will not affect the flavor.
I don’t have oven proof bowls, what can I use? Place slices of bread on a baking sheet lined with foil, top with cheese and broil briefly until cheese is melted. Place the cheesy toast on top of the soup just before serving.
Lower Carb: You can also use a parmesan crisp for texture instead of bread. Simply melt a handful of freshly shredded parmesan cheese on a silicone baking mat in a 400℉ oven until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Watch it closely so it does not burn.
How to make the Best French Onion Soup
- Heat olive oil in a dutch oven and add onions and salt. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Add white wine and saute an additional 15 minutes until absorbed.
- Stir in flour, thyme, bay leaf, and garlic and cook over low heat for about 2 minutes. Add red wine and cook about 1 minute.
- Add beef broth, whisking vigorously to dissolve flour.
- Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and partially cover for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard thyme stems and bay leaves.
- Ladle soup into 4 oven proof bowls. Top with two slices of toasted baguette.
- Top with cheese.
- Broil on low until cheese has melted and begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn. Serve immediately.
How to cut onions for Homemade French Onion Soup
The best way to cut onions for french onion soup is to cut lengthwise into long strips.
What to serve with Homemade French Onion Soup
This recipe is so filling and comforting on its own! We also love enjoying it with:
- a toasted baguette
- a salad – this Easy Kale Lemon Salad and Kale Quinoa Salad is delicious
- veggies – Green Beans Almondine, Crispy Potatoes, or Brussels Sprouts
- to make it even more filling you can pair it with Healthy Chicken Tenders
Storing this Easy French Onion Soup Recipe
Storing: This will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container
Can you freeze french onion soup?: You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months. We like these molds for freezing!
Reheating: You can reheat this recipe in the microwave or on the stove.
More Soup Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Looking for other soup recipes? Check out these 40+ Healthy Soup Recipes. Click here to grab our free healthy soup cookbook.
Best French Onion Soup
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cups onions sliced thinly
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup white wine
- 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic 2 cloves
- ¼ cup good dry red wine
- 64 ounces beef broth low or no salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For serving
- 1 French baguette sliced (or gluten free bread)
- 1 ½ cup gruyere or provolone cheese shredded or sliced
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven, heat olive oil. Stir in onions and salt. Cover onions and cook for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes
- After 30 minutes, add white wine and saute for an additional 15 minutes until wine is absorbed and onions are soft and brown.
- Add flour, thyme, bay leaf, and garlic. Stir to combine and cook over low heat for about 2 minutes.
- Once the flour has cooked and the garlic is fragrant, add the red wine and cook briefly, about 1 minute.
- Add the beef broth, whisking vigorously as you pour it in to dissolve the flour. Bring soup up to a boil, reduce to simmer, and simmer partially covered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove thyme stems and bay leaves, discard. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust seasoning as needed.
- While the soup simmers, toast baguette slices in the oven at 375℉ on a large baking sheet until crisp, about 3 minutes.
- Preheat the broiler on low. Ladle soup into 4 oven proof bowls or soup crocks. Top with two slices of toasted baguette, followed by a handful of cheese (about a heaping ¼ cup). Broil on low until cheese has melted and begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn. Serve immediately.
Are the nutritional values for the soup only? Or is the bread and cheese included? Trying to get a more accurate carb count before making this because it sounds delicious!!
This includes bread and cheese! but they’re just an estimate. we recommend putting in an app like my fitness pal if you need the macros!
The most delicious recipe. It was perfect for a cozy meal and I will definitely be making it in the future!
This is the best French onion soup recipe I’ve ever made. Easy to make, healthy ingredients, and tastes awesome
This recipe is so good and tasty! Extremely easy to make, I will definitely be making this agin!