• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dish
  • Dessert
  • Side Dish
  • Tips & Goods
  • Soups & Salads
  • Drinks
  • Appetizer
  • Pressure Cooker

Oh So Delicioso logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dish
  • Dessert
  • Side Dish
  • Tips & Goods
  • Soups & Salads
  • Drinks
  • Appetizer
  • Pressure Cooker
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Soups & Salads

    Published: Jan 15, 2025 by Desarae

    Easy French Onion Soup

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This Easy French Onion Soup is a rich and satisfying restaurant-quality dish you can make right at home! Combining sweet caramelized onions, savory broth, crunchy toasted bread, and melty Swiss cheese, it’s a comforting classic that’s sure to impress. Serve it as a starter or as a main course for a mouthwatering meal everyone will rave about!

    A white crock of easy french onion soup on the table with fresh herbs on top and scattered around.
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This French Onion Soup Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to Make French Onion Soup
    • Storage Directions 
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs 
    • More Delicious Soup Recipes
    • Keep In Touch
    • Easy French Onion Soup

    Why You’ll Love This French Onion Soup Recipe

    • Easy to Make: Although it takes a bit of time, the process for making this soup is quite simple.
    • Gourmet Meal at Home: With this recipe, you can create a restaurant-style soup right in your own kitchen!
    • Timeless Classic: In my opinion, this rich and savory soup never gets old! It’s a true classic that’s loved by many.

    For more classic soups, check out our Boston Clam Chowder, this creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup, and our vegetable packed Instant Pot Minestrone next.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make french onion soup on the table before preparing.
    • Onions: I like using a mixture of onions, but feel free to use any type.
    • Butter and Sugar: For caramelizing the onions. The sugar helps them caramelize faster while the butter adds richness.
    • Flavor Boosters: You’ll need minced garlic, fresh thyme, oregano leaves, and a bay leaf.
    • Cooking Sherry: Adds depth of flavor and acidity. For an easy French onion soup without wine, replace the cooking sherry with more broth and add a splash of white wine vinegar instead to keep the acidic component.
    • Beef Bone Broth: Feel free to substitute with beef stock or broth, and use low sodium if needed.
    • Baguette: Slice crosswise for topping individual portions of soup. Try using this homemade French Bread.
    • Swiss Cheese: While Gruyere is the traditional cheese for French onion soup, you could also use a different Swiss cheese like Jarlsberg or try another type, such as provolone or mozzarella. 

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

    Variations

    • Vegetarian: To make a vegetarian French onion soup, swap the beef bone broth for vegetable stock or broth.
    • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free bread and ensure the beef broth is gluten-free.
    • Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based butter and vegan cheese for a dairy-free version.

    How to Make French Onion Soup

    To get started on this easy recipe for French onion soup, you’ll want to be sure to thinly slice your onions so they’re ready to go. Then, grab a large stockpot or Dutch oven.

    • Step 1: Sweat the onions. Add the sliced onions to your pot. Turn the heat to medium and allow the onions to sweat for a few minutes.
    • Step 2: Stir in sugar and butter. Add the sugar and butter to the onions to help expedite the caramelization process.
    A collage of images showing the steps for making french onion soup.
    • Step 3: Cook and add garlic and herbs. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes until the onions are a deep golden brown, stirring constantly. Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf. 
    • Step 4: Pour in the sherry. Raise the heat and stir in the cooking sherry. Pour in the beef bone broth and let the soup simmer for 30-60 minutes.
    Two bowls of easy French onion soup on the table with melted cheese on top and bread and herbs scattered around.
    • Step 5: Toast the bread and assemble the soup bowls. Drizzle the baguette slices with olive oil and toast in the oven on the broil setting. Ladle the soup into individual oven-safe bowls. Top each portion with pieces of the toasted bread and slices of Swiss cheese. Place the soup bowls on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy.

    Storage Directions 

    • Refrigeration: Store leftover soup without the bread and cheese added in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
    • Reheating: Heat on the stovetop or microwave individual portions. Transfer to oven-safe bowls and top with the bread and cheese. Broil until the cheese is bubbly.
    • Freezing: Leftover soup is best frozen in individual portions and will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. Pour the cooled soup into plastic cups, freeze, then remove the frozen soup by cutting away the cups. Then, store the portions in a gallon-sized freezer bag. When ready to eat, reheat the soup, then add toasted bread and cheese to each serving. Alternatively, you can place the cooled soup into individual containers that are both freezer-safe and oven- or microwave-safe. Then, top each one with shredded cheese and croutons before freezing. This makes reheating quick and convenient. 

    Serving Suggestions

    While you can enjoy a bowl of soup on its own, here are some more tasty ways to serve it up:

    • Make a French onion soup bowl using our homemade bread bowl.
    • Keep the French-inspired theme going and serve this soup as an appetizer, followed by beef bourguignon for dinner, and creme brulee for dessert.
    • Enjoy it with a delicious side salad like our fresh asparagus salad or this cucumber tomato onion salad, or try this berry salad for a sweet contrast.
    A bowl of french onion soup with a soup resting on the edge and the broth peaking from under the cheese.

    Expert Tips

    • Keep an eye on the onions: Be sure to stir the onions regularly and adjust the heat as needed so that they caramelize without burning.
    • Deglaze the pot: When stirring in the cooking sherry, scrape the bottom of the pot to pull up any browned bits, which will add another layer of flavor to the soup.
    • Use the right bowls: Ensure the bowls you are using to brown the bread and cheese are broiler-safe to avoid cracking or shattering.

    Recipe FAQs 

    Can I make this in a slow cooker?

    Yes! Cook the onions with sugar and butter as directed in the original recipe, using a nonstick skillet. Once the onions are golden brown, add them to the slow cooker along with all of the remaining ingredients except for the bread and cheese. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Follow the rest of the instructions in the recipe starting with broiling the baguette.

    Can I make this ahead of time?

    Absolutely! Make and store the soup without the bread and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge. When it's time to enjoy, reheat the soup, add the bread and cheese, and broil as directed in the recipe.

    A bowl of french onion soup topped with cheese and fresh herbs and some bread to the side.

    More Delicious Soup Recipes

    • Cauliflower Cheese Soup
    • Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe- Olive Garden Copycat
    • Corn and potato chowder in great bowl. They re garnished with oregano and there is bread to the side.
      Corn and Potato Chowder
    • A bowl of lasagna soup with ricotta with a spoon in the bowl and the edge of another bowl in the corner.
      One Pot Lasagna Soup

    Keep In Touch

    Please let me know if you make this delicious homemade onion soup!  I love to hear from those who make my recipes.  If you want to keep up with our newest recipes, make sure you follow is on Facebook and Instagram, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter.

    A bowl of easy French onion soup with melted cheese and fresh herbs on top.

    Easy French Onion Soup

    If you’ve never made French Onion Soup at home, it’s easier than you think! After simmering the soup on the stovetop, individual portions are topped with toasted bread and Swiss cheese and then broiled until perfectly browned and bubbly.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 414kcal
    Author: Kadee & Desarae

    Ingredients

    • 3 large onions about 2 lbs of onions, I like to use a mixture of onions.
    • 3 tbs butter
    • ½ tablespoon sugar
    • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
    • ½ teaspoon oregano leaves
    • 1 bay leaf
    • ½ cup cooking Sherry
    • 2 quarts beef bone broth
    • 2-3 large garlic cloves minced
    • 1 baguette sliced crosswise
    • 1 lb swiss cheese

    Instructions

    • Slice onions thin.
    • In a large stock pot or dutch oven place all onions on med-heat and allow to sweat for a few minutes.
    • Add sugar and butter. These help quicken the caramelization process of the onions.
    • Continue stirring and browning the onions. Adjust the heat if they are scorching or not cooking.
    • After about 10 minutes add minced garlic and herbs.
    • When the onions are a deep golden brown turn the heat up and add in sherry. Stirring constantly. The sherry will thicken and the alcohol will cook off.
    • Add broth and let soup simmer for at least 30 minutes up to an hour.
    • Drizzle baguette with olive oil and toast under broiler.
    • In an oven-proof individual sized soup bowl or mug ladle in soup. Top with baguette and slices of cheese. Place soups on a foil lined sheet cake pan and broil until cheese is melted.
    • Serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    • Use broiler-safe bowls that are designed to withstand temperatures between 500°F-550°F to prevent cracking or shattering.
    • The soup can be refrigerated for up to 4 days, making it great for meal prep. Just be sure to store it without the bread and cheese, and add those when you’re ready to serve.
    • Feel free to change up the cheese. Instead of a variety of Swiss, you can try provolone or mozzarella.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 618IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 557mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @OhSoDelicioso or tag #ohsodelicioso!

     <div class="mv-video-target mv-video-id-uenaiusfm6gh2xccbskm" data-video-id="uenaiusfm6gh2xccbskm" data-ratio="16:9" ></div>SaveSave

    Save this recipe for later!

    More Soups & Salads

    • Peanut coleslaw in a bowl with herbs around on the table.
      Crunchy Peanut Coleslaw (Wood Ranch Grill Copycat)
    • A bowl of enchilada soup with limes, avocado, chips, and cilantro for garnish.
      Cheesy & Zesty Enchilada Soup
    • Apple gorgonzola salad on the table ready to eat.
      Apple Gorgonzola Salad Recipe {Buca Di Beppo Copy-Cat}
    • A bowl of Grandma's chicken noodle soup with a spoon resting in the bowl.
      Grandma's Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Adri says

      January 18, 2016 at 9:21 pm

      5 stars
      French Onion Soup is an absolute love of mine also. That rich flavor and glorious color. Oh, and the cheese... and the bread. It is raining here now, and I could go for a bowl. Trouble is that's what I'd have to do is "go." It's not something I can whip right up now is it?

      Your settings are truly beautiful, and so are you photographs. Be proud of this post. It is lovely.

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Oh So! A cooking lifestyle blog sharing recipes, DIY, decor and more. Come join the fun for foodie and family love. click to read more!

    Our story →

    Popular

    • Italian Soda Recipe
    • Pressure Cooker {Frozen} Roast Beef and Potatoes | pressure cooker roast beef recipes | how to make roast beef in a pressure cooker | pressure cooker meal ideas | pressure cooker dinner recipes | pot roast recipes | homemade roast beef recipes | how to make homemade roast beef and potatoes | hearty dinner recipes | quick dinner recipes || Oh So Delicioso
      Perfect Pot Roast and Gravy
    • Sliced of juicy smoked turkey on a platter with oranges, herbs and pomegranates.
      The BEST Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe
    • Easy pumpkin muffins on a wire cooling rack.
      Pumpkin Cake-Mix Muffins
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    RSS Feed | Daily Emails

    Copyright © 2025 · OH SO DELICIOSO

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.