French Onion Soup

I can’t explain how rich and filling this French Onion Soup is! Yes it takes a while to make but it doesn’t require constant attention so you can putter around the kitchen getting other stuff done while you have this on the burner.

My version uses chicken instead of beef stock and uses brandy or cognac instead of sherry which gives it such a wonderful flavor and makes the soup slightly lighter. Serve it with toasted French bread and lashings of shaved parmesan for the ultimate comfort food meal!

What you’ll need for this recipe

Chicken stock: try to go for low sodium chicken stock if possible, it means you can control the amount of salt you put into the soup. I prefer the lightness that chicken stock gives this soup but you can also use beef stock if you prefer.

Brandy or Cognac: I use brandy instead of sherry not only because of the delicious flavor it gives to the soup but it also helps deglaze the pan allowing you to scrape any brown bits at the bottom of the pot because that’s where all the flavor is.

White wine: a good dry white wine is best for this recipe it gives the soup so much flavor so try to not skip it. Also, don’t be tempted to use cooking wine from the supermarket, it just won’t give you the same delicious flavor.

How to make French Onion Soup

1. Slice the onions by cutting them in half then slicing them 1/4 inch thick.

2. Add them to a deep pot with the butter and bay leaves.

3. Saute the onions slowly until golden brown in color.

4. Add the brandy and simmer scraping away any brown bits.

5. Add the white wine to the onion mixture.

6. Simmer to reduce slightly.

7. Add the stock to the soup.

8. Simmer for 20 minutes then remove the bay leaves.

9. Serve the soup with toasted French bread and parmesan cheese.

Variations and serving suggestions

If you love cheesy bread on top of French onion soup then toast the bread on one side under a broiler then top the untoasted side with cheese and broil until golden brown.

Instead of a slice of bread, you could also opt for little croutons either store-bought or homemade.

I love to serve this with shaved parmesan but if you don’t have it, Gruyere, Emmental, or a sharp white cheddar would also work well and if you’re looking for a little freshness fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme are perfect for topping.

This soup is quite rich and filling due to the onions but if you’d like to serve it with a side then a nice simple fresh salad would be delicious!

Tips and ideas for making this recipe

• Cook the onions low and slow and don’t be tempted to turn up the heat, it takes around 30 minutes to the onions to caramelize.
• If you don’t have French bread then any white crusty bread will do.
• Simmer the soup uncovered so it reduces and deepens in flavor.
• This soup is even better the next day so you can prep it a day in advance and store it in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I caramelize onions without them burning?

The trick to caramelizing onions is to do it on a low heat. You need to keep the heat low and cook them for a long time so the moisture evaporates and the sugars from the onions start to caramelize. Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up to speed the process up or the onions will burn.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely, all you need to do is swap the chicken stock for veg stock and this soup will be completely vegetarian!

What can I replace the alcohol with?

If you want to skip the alcohol then I recommend replacing the white wine and brandy with extra stock.

How long does French onion soup last?

This soup will keep well in the fridge for around 3-4 days or can be frozen in suitable containers. After freezing make sure to thaw the soup completely then reheat in a pot until piping hot throughout.

If you’ve tried this French onion soup then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!