French Onion Soup

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Cook: 2 hours

Yield 12 servings (2-1/4 quarts)

This rich and comforting French onion soup recipe is surprisingly simple to make at home. And it rivals the soup you’ll find at any restaurant.

Ingredients

5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon butter
8 cups thinly sliced onions (about 3 pounds)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup port wine or dry sherry
2 cartons (32 ounces each) beef broth
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
24 slices French bread baguette (1/2 inch thick)
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and halved
3/4 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese

Directions

In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until softened, 10-13 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Add minced garlic; cook 2 minutes longer.
Stir in wine. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add broth, pepper and salt; return to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet; brush both sides with remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Bake until toasted, 3-5 minutes on each side. Rub toasts with halved garlic.
To serve, ladle soup into twelve 8-oz. broiler-safe bowls or ramekins on baking sheets; place 2 toasts in each. Top with cheese. Broil 4 in. from heat until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup soup with 2 pieces bread and 1 tablespoon cheese: 195 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 765mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.

Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah

Recipe Creator