Lately, time just seems to be FLYING by! How is it already March?? I feel like it was just Christmas-time and the New Year! Unfortunately, winter is just not flying by fast enough. I swear, every year I tell myself – “March! In March, it’ll be warmer.” Then March comes and goes – and its still cold out! Not this year, I am not getting my hopes up! Instead, I am preparing for the cold with this incredibly Easy French Onion Soup!
Just like I mentioned in my last post for Easy Red Thai Chickpea Curry, ironically, I did not always like French Onion soup. My mom would make it in these cute little fancy bowls that you bake in the oven – what are those called? Googling… Oh, apparently they are called French Onion soup bowls! How creative.
So she would make the cute little French onion soup bowls full of delicious French Onion soup – and me, being the bratty kid that I was, would only eat the cheesy bread up top! I mean let’s be real, that is still the best part 🙂 
Now, there is something just so comforting about French Onion Soup – the rich beef broth, the tender onions, the cheesy cheesy cheese covered bread – its the perfect soup for a cold, damp day outside.
Just about a week ago, we had one of those cold, damp days here in Columbus and I started thinking- I would LOVE a bowl of French Onion soup right about now. So, naturally, I called my mom and asked her how she made her French Onion soup! I was SHOCKED by how easy the recipe was!
That is why I am SO excited to share this Easy French Onion soup recipe with you all, because I can’t have possibly been the only one who thought French Onion soup would be hard to make! If so, embarrassing – I’ll just go stand in the corner.
Oh HELLO! It’s me – got board in the corner. Here I am again. Back to the Easy French Onion Soup. Why is it so amazing?
Rich, flavorful beef broth, loaded with onions and seasoned to perfection with sherry and thyme. So many soups use a base of chicken or vegetable broth which is light and delicious. But it is amazing how much more filling and satisfying beef broth can be! It is almost decadent!
Rich, flavorful beef broth, loaded with onions and seasoned to perfection with sherry and thyme. Topped with baked bread and delicious ooey gooey Swiss cheese. The perfect bowl of satisfying deliciousness to warm you up!
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4-5 sweet onions sliced or diced (about 3 cups)
- 1 1/2 tsp ground thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup dry sherry or dry cooking wine
- 64 ounces beef broth
- 16 slices Swiss or gruyere cheese
- 8 slices french bread
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
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In a large pot or dutch oven, heat olive oil. Add garlic, onions, ground thyme, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until onions have softened and become caramelized and brown, about 15-20 minutes - stir occasionally.
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Sprinkle flour over onions then stir to combine.
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Add dry sherry (or dry cooking wine - white or red can be used). Cook for 2-3 minutes.
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Add beef broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low-medium and simmer for about 30 minutes, partially covered. Stir occasionally.
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When ready to eat, preheat broiler to 350. On a baking sheet, lay out french bread slices. Layer each piece of bread with two slices of cheese. Broil in oven for 3-5 minutes or until cheese begins to bubble and brown. Place cheese-coated bread into bowl of soup just before serving. Enjoy with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired!
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Alternate option: Ladle soup into a French onion soup bowl (bake-safe bowl) then layer with bread and cheese. Broil at 350F for 3-5 minutes or until cheese begins to bubble and brown. (Warning: Broiled bowl will be HOT when served - be careful!) Enjoy with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired!
Storage: Store soup, bread, and cheese separately. Refrigerate soup in an airtight container. Store bread and cheese as you normally would.
NOMaste,
Haley
Loved this soup recipe? Try another! Cauliflower Potato and Leek Soup, One Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup, Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup (VG)
