Irresistible French Onion Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Crafting a hearty french onion soup brings comfort straight to your kitchen’s heart.

Caramelized onions whisper stories of rustic French countryside kitchens.

Deep golden layers develop slowly, building complex flavors with patience.

Rich beef broth mingles with sweet onion ribbons, creating a symphony of taste.

Melted cheese crowns this classic dish with decadent warmth.

Crisp bread soaks up every delicious nuance of this timeless recipe.

You’ll want to savor each spoonful of this soul-warming classic.

Helpful Tips For Delia Smith French Onion Soup

• Slow-Caramelize Onions: Take your time cooking onions over low heat to develop deep, sweet flavor – rushing will result in bitter, burnt edges.
• Boost Umami Depth: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce to enhance the rich, savory taste of the soup.
• Select Perfect Cheese: Use Gruyère or Swiss cheese for authentic French flavor and excellent melting properties.
• Control Bread Texture: Toast bread slices before adding to soup to prevent soggy croutons and maintain a crispy, crunchy topping.
• Dietary Swap Option: Replace beef stock with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version that still delivers incredible taste.

Fun Variations On Delia Smith French Onion Soup

• Vegetarian Onion Soup: Replace beef stock with vegetable stock, use plant-based butter for caramelizing, and top with vegan cheese for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional bread with gluten-free baguette or crusty gluten-free bread to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip bread entirely, serve soup with crispy cheese crisps or a small side salad instead of traditional toast.
• Herb Infusion Variation: Experiment with different herb combinations like thyme and rosemary, or add a dash of fresh sage to enhance the soup's aromatic profile.

What Goes Well With Delia Smith French Onion Soup

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir to complement the soup's rich, caramelized onion flavors and cut through its creamy texture.
• Craft Beer Companion: Select a Belgian-style amber ale or a malty brown ale that matches the soup's deep, sweet undertones and provides a robust contrast.
• Perfect Cheese Match: Serve alongside a crisp goat cheese salad or aged Gruyère nibbles to enhance the existing cheese notes and add textural variety.
• Side Dish Harmony: Prepare a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a fresh, acidic counterpoint.

How To Store Delia Smith French Onion Soup Correctly

• Store soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months. Avoid adding croutons before freezing.
• Transfer soup to microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until steaming hot. Top with fresh cheese toast.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth if too thick. Top with crispy cheese toast just before serving.

Common Questions About Delia Smith French Onion Soup

• What makes caramelization crucial in French onion soup?

Slow caramelization develops deep, rich flavors by breaking down onion sugars, creating a sweet and complex base that defines the soup’s signature taste.

• Why use both butter and oil when cooking onions?

Butter adds rich flavor while oil prevents burning, allowing longer cooking time needed to achieve perfect golden-brown caramelization without scorching.

• Can I substitute wine in the recipe?

Red or white wine adds depth, but if unavailable, you can use additional stock or a splash of vinegar to maintain acidity and complexity in the soup’s flavor profile.

• What type of cheese works best for the topping?

Gruyère is traditional and preferred for its nutty flavor and excellent melting properties, but Swiss or Emmental cheese can also create a delicious cheesy topping.

Why Delia Smith French Onion Soup Is So Satisfying

• Craft Caramelized Perfection: Master the art of slowly transforming ordinary onions into rich, golden-brown delights that melt in your mouth with deep, complex flavors.
• Quick Comfort Meal: Create a restaurant-quality dish with simple ingredients that comes together quickly, making it perfect for cozy dinners or impressing unexpected guests.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Enjoy a decadent cheesy topping that transforms the classic soup into a luxurious experience, adding crispy texture and irresistible golden-brown cheese crust.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for various occasions from weeknight dinners to elegant gatherings, this soup appeals to both sophisticated palates and comfort food enthusiasts.

Delia Smith French Onion Soup Ingredient List

• Onions: Sweet yellow onions work best for creating a rich, deep flavor profile.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps caramelize the onions to a golden brown.
• Olive Oil: Prevents butter from burning and helps achieve even caramelization.

• Garlic, Sugar: Adds depth and helps balance the caramelization process.
• White Wine: Deglazes the pan and adds a subtle acidic complexity to the soup.
• Beef Stock: Provides a robust, savory base for the soup's liquid.

• Bread Slices, Gruyère Cheese, Provolone Cheese: Create a classic French onion soup topping with a crispy, melted cheese crust.
• Fresh Thyme, Bay Leaf: Introduce aromatic herbs that complement the sweet onion base.

Cooking Instructions For Delia Smith French Onion Soup

Step 1: Slice and Soften Onions

Grab a cutting board and slice onions into thin, even rings. Warm a large pot over medium-low heat, adding a combination of olive oil and butter. Gently drop onion slices into the pot, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Allow onions to slowly transform into a rich, golden-brown color, which will take about 45 minutes to an hour.

Step 2: Enhance Caramelization

Sprinkle a pinch of sugar over the softened onions and add minced garlic. Continue cooking, stirring more frequently to prevent burning. The sugar will help accelerate the caramelization process, creating deeper flavor and color.

Step 3: Build Soup Base

Pour in a generous splash of white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom. Add beef or vegetable stock, along with a bundle of fresh thyme and a bay leaf. Let the mixture simmer gently, allowing flavors to meld together for about 30 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare Cheesy Croutons

• Gruyère cheese
• Emmental cheese

Place under the broiler until cheese melts and becomes bubbly and slightly browned.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the rich, fragrant soup into deep bowls. Float the cheesy crouton on top of each serving. Serve immediately while hot, allowing guests to break through the melted cheese into the deeply flavored soup beneath.

French Onion Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 60 mins
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty French Onion Soup delights with caramelized onions swimming in rich, savory broth. Melted gruyère cheese crowns this classic French comfort dish, inviting you to savor each comforting spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 large onions
• 8 cups stock
• 112 cups Gruyere cheese
• 8 slices French bread

Cooking Fats and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon thyme

Liquid Enhancers:

• 12 cup dry wine/vermouth
• 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
• Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Gently sauté thinly sliced onions in a blend of oil and butter over low heat, allowing them to gradually transform into a rich, golden-brown color, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
2. Incorporate minced garlic and a touch of sugar, continuing to cook for approximately 15 minutes until onions become deeply caramelized and develop an intense, sweet flavor.
3. Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom, then add beef or vegetable stock along with fragrant thyme and bay leaves.
4. Simmer the soup uncovered for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a deeply complex and aromatic broth.
5. While soup simmers, prepare crusty bread slices and generously top them with grated gruyère or swiss cheese.
6. Place cheese-covered bread under the broiler at 450°F for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and develops a bubbly, golden-brown crust.
7. Carefully ladle the steaming hot soup into oven-safe ceramic bowls, crown each serving with the crispy, cheesy toast, and serve immediately to preserve the perfect temperature and texture.

Notes

• Patience is key when caramelizing onions; use low heat and stir occasionally to prevent burning and achieve deep golden color.
• Add a splash of balsamic vinegar during caramelization for extra depth and richness in flavor profile.
• For gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread and check stock ingredients to ensure complete dietary compatibility.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère, Comté, or aged cheddar to create unique taste variations of the classic soup.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 255 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg