Learn How to Make the Best Classic French Onion Soup With This Homemade Recipe
Learn How to Make the Best Classic French Onion Soup With This Homemade Recipe
Recipe and photos by Launie Kettler
There are some days when you just need the loving taste of some comforting French onion soup. It’s homey. It’s warming. It’s a port in a winter storm.
Heck, it reminds us of this quote: “If I could find a real-life place to make me feel like Tiffany’s, then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name!” - Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Now, that’s a big lift for a crock of soup in a bowl, but French onion soup does it every time.
The perfectly caramelized onions. The hot melted cheese begging to burn the roof of our mouths. The aroma of the two together with perfectly toasted bread. Well….
Let’s buy some furniture and give the cat a name!
The one thing to remember is that (much like love) it takes a little patience and a little time to get to the perfect result.
And just like how you should never trust anyone who says, “trust me,” you should never trust anyone who says that you can get onions caramelized in “15 minutes.”
It can’t be done. The onions need to be coaxed. They need some time. They need a little attention.
And then the love they’ll give you back once you hit that one-hour mark will be revelatory.
Thoughts: Traditionally French onion soup is made with beef broth, but we think chicken broth is a little lighter, and lets the onion flavor shine, and shine. But, use whichever seems right to you.
Other Thoughts: If you’d rather make the cheese croutons separately and just top the soup with it rather than baking the soup in a crock with the cheese on top, we have instructions for that too!
Looking for Things That Go Well With French Onion Soup?
If you’re wondering what to serve and eat with French onion soup, then guess what? There’s an F.N. Sharp recipe for that!
Serve it With Some Beef
Beef and onions go together like peanut butter and jelly so of course beef dishes pair perfectly with French onion soup! The rich, savory flavors of the beef complement the sweet, caramelized onions, while the depth of the beef enhances the overall taste experience, making each bite more satisfying. Plus, the warmth of the soup adds a cozy touch that elevates and rounds out the meal.
Chicken dishes, especially roasted chicken, also pair well with French onion soup. The savory flavors of the chicken complement the rich, caramelized onions in the soup. The hearty texture of the chicken balances the smoothness of the soup, creating a satisfying meal that warms you up. Plus, the combination of the two brings out the best in each dish, making for a deliciously comforting experience.
Soup and salad go so well together that they’re often featured as combos on restaurant menus. They complement each other perfectly because the warmth and richness of the soup balance out the fresh, crisp textures of the salad, creating a satisfying meal. Plus, the variety of flavors in both dishes can enhance the overall dining experience, making them a delightful choice for any occasion.
Just like soup and salad, soup and sandwiches make great pairings! The sweetness of the caramelized onions and the depth of the broth create a delicious contrast to the textures and flavors of various sandwich fillings. This is especially true for sandwiches with gooey melted cheese, which adds a creamy element that ties everything together, making each bite of the sandwich even more satisfying.
Launie Kettler is a food writer and photographer who cooks big food in a small kitchen in northern Vermont. Her husband and cats are tolerant of the fact that she plays the same Wilco and Son Volt albums over and over while pontificating about the beauty of cumin.
I got these for my husband and he LOVED them! Starting with the box - so well made and packaged - beautifully designed and balanced handle - everything is perfect about the knife. Great job F N Sharp!
Functional, great capacity, and beautifully made. We tossed our old knife block out, but included the old knives in with the new, as there is ample room.
