French Onion Soup with Cheesy Crouton Lids Recipe

Introduction

French Onion Soup is a comforting classic known for its rich, caramelized onions and savory beef broth. Topped with melty cheese and crispy crouton lids, this dish is perfect for warming up on a chilly evening.

Ingredients

• 4 large Yellow onions
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 8 cups Beef broth (low-sodium)
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 1 Bay leaf
• Salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 8 slices Crusty bread (sturdy baguette or sourdough)
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• Turkey bacon (optional, cooked and crumbled for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Peel and thinly slice the yellow onions evenly using a sharp chef’s knife.
2. Step 2: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat.
3. Step 3: Add the sliced onions and sprinkle sugar over them. Stir occasionally and cook low and slow for 40-50 minutes until onions are deep golden brown and tender.
4. Step 4: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Pour in the beef broth, add dried thyme and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Step 6: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and cook for 20-30 minutes to meld flavors.
7. Step 7: While the soup simmers, toast the bread slices until golden.
8. Step 8: Combine the shredded Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses. Pile cheese generously on each toasted bread slice.
9. Step 9: Preheat the oven broiler. Place cheese-topped bread slices on a baking sheet and broil for 2-4 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns golden brown.
10. Step 10: Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Ladle hot soup into oven-safe bowls.
11. Step 11: Place a cheesy crouton lid on top of each bowl. Optionally, sprinkle cooked and crumbled turkey bacon over the lids.
12. Step 12: Serve immediately and enjoy the melty, crispy, savory goodness!

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of Gruyère and mozzarella for a perfect balance of flavor and meltiness. For a sharper taste, substitute some Gruyère with Swiss cheese.
• Caramelize onions slowly over low heat to develop rich, deep flavors without burning.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth and omit turkey bacon.
• Day-old bread works best for croutons because it holds up well without becoming soggy quickly.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. Prepare crouton lids fresh just before serving to retain their crispiness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make French Onion Soup ahead of time?

Yes, the soup can be made a day in advance and reheated before serving. However, make and add the cheesy crouton lids right before eating to keep them crisp.

What can I use if I don’t have Gruyère cheese?

You can substitute Gruyère with Swiss cheese or a mild fontina. Mozzarella alone works but a mix improves flavor depth and texture.

French Onion Soup with Cheesy Crouton Lids Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 106 reviews

A classic French Onion Soup recipe featuring deeply caramelized yellow onions simmered in a savory beef broth, topped with a melty blend of Gruyère and mozzarella cheese on toasted crusty bread crouton lids. This comforting and rich soup is perfect for a cozy meal.

• Author: reem
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soup Ingredients

• 4 large Yellow onions
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 8 cups Beef broth (low-sodium)
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 1 Bay leaf
• Salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Crouton Lids

• 8 slices Crusty bread (sturdy baguette or sourdough)
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• Turkey bacon (optional, cooked and crumbled for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preparation: Peel and thinly slice 4 large yellow onions evenly using a sharp chef’s knife to ensure uniform caramelization.
2. Caramelizing Onions and Making Soup: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar over them. Stir occasionally and cook low and slow for 40-50 minutes until onions are deep golden brown and tender, developing rich sweetness.
3. Add Garlic: Stir in 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding burning.
4. Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in 8 cups low-sodium beef broth, add 1 teaspoon dried thyme and 1 bay leaf. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5. Simmer Soup: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and cook for 20-30 minutes to meld flavors and deepen taste.
6. Prepare Crouton Lids: While soup simmers, toast 8 slices of crusty bread until golden and crispy.
7. Add Cheese: Combine 1 cup shredded Gruyère and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Pile cheese generously on each toasted bread slice.
8. Broil Cheese Lids: Preheat oven broiler. Place cheese-topped bread slices on a baking sheet and broil for 2-4 minutes until cheese bubbles and turns golden brown.
9. Serve: Remove bay leaf from soup. Ladle hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a cheesy crouton lid on top of each bowl. Optionally, sprinkle cooked and crumbled turkey bacon over lids.
10. Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy the melty, crispy, savory goodness!

Notes

• Caramelizing onions properly is key for deep flavor; cook low and slow without rushing.
• Use sturdy bread like baguette or sourdough to hold up under soup and cheese topping.
• Broil cheese closely and watch carefully to avoid burning.
• Low-sodium broth allows you to control seasoning precisely.
• Turkey bacon is an optional garnish for a smoky flavor, but not traditional.

Keywords: French Onion Soup, caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, mozzarella, beef broth, cheesy crouton, comforting soup