Classic French Onion Soup Recipe by The Redhead Baker (2024)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for bread
• 3 large onions , (about 2 pounds), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup brandy
• 1 quart beef stock
• 4 slices hearty white bread, thick-sliced preferred, cut to fit bowls
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 thyme sprig
• 2 juniper berries, or half a sprig of fresh rosemary
• 2 flat-leaf parsley sprigs
• 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (about 6 ounces)

Instructions

1. Lay a square of cheesecloth (about 4 inches by 4 inches) on a flat surface. Place the bay leaf, thyme, juniper berries and parsley sprigs in the center, then draw up the four corners and tie with butcher's twine to form a bouquet garni. Set aside.
2. Melt the butter in a large enameled cast-iron Dutch oven. Add the onions and a pinch of salt, cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften, about 10 minutes.
3. Uncover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the onions are caramelized, about 40 minutes.
4. Stir in the brandy, scraping the bottom of the Dutch oven as you pour the brandy in.
5. Add the stock. Submerge the bouquet garni and increase the heat to high; bring the soup to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until the soup has a deep flavor, about 30 minutes.
6. While the soup is simmering, heat the oven to 350°. Butter the bread on both sides and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Toast the bread for 15 minutes, turning the slices halfway through, until golden and crisp but not dried out.
7. Squeeze the bouquet garni of excess liquid; discard. Season the soup with salt and pepper.
8. Ladle the soup into 4 deep ovenproof bowls and sprinkle with half of the cheese. Place a toasted bread sliced in each bowl and sprinkle on the remaining cheese. Place the bowls on a baking sheet, and place the baking sheet under a broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling. Serve hot.

Notes

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases.

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  Cheese Cloths, 20x20Inch, Grade 90, 100% Unbleached Pure Cotton Muslin Cloth

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  Butchers Twine, Food Safe Cotton (White)

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  OXO Good Grips 3- Piece Wooden Utensil Set

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  Professional Box Grater, Stainless Steel with 4 Sides

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  OXO Good Grips Brushed Stainless Steel Ladle

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  Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt.

I am not a certified nutritionist. This nutrition information is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only.