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Lazy French Onion Soup with Caramelized Onions, Toasted Baguette, and Gruyère Cheese Recipe

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3.9 from 49 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

This lazy French onion soup simplifies the classic recipe by caramelizing onions in the oven with minimal stirring, then finishing the soup with toasted baguette slices and broiled Gruyère cheese for a rich, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Soup Base

  • 3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 thyme sprigs, plus leaves for garnish
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 fresh or dried bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Toppings

  • 12 (1/2-inch-thick) slices French bread loaf or other soft baguette, lightly toasted
  • 8 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position a rack in the middle of the oven for even heat distribution.
  2. Caramelize Onions: Combine thinly sliced onions, olive oil, and thyme sprigs in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Cover and bake for about 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until onions are wilted and lightly browned.
  3. Finish Caramelizing: Uncover the pot and continue cooking the onions in the oven, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes, until they become golden brown and fully caramelized.
  4. Deglaze with Sherry: Remove the pot from the oven and stir in dry sherry. Cook over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits, until the liquid nearly evaporates.
  5. Add Broth and Seasonings: Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, kosher salt, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer undisturbed for about 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
  6. Finish Soup Base: Remove the pot from heat, stir in apple cider vinegar, and discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf for clean flavor.
  7. Prepare for Broiling: Increase the oven setting to broil. Ladle soup evenly into 6 broiler-proof bowls placed on a large rimmed baking sheet.
  8. Top with Bread and Cheese: Place two toasted bread slices on top of each bowl and sprinkle about 1/3 cup of shredded Gruyère cheese over the bread.
  9. Broil Soup: Broil the bowls until the cheese is bubbly and browned in places, about 3 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh thyme leaves, and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Using a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven helps with even caramelization of the onions.
  • Be sure to use broiler-proof bowls to safely broil the soup with cheese topping.
  • Lightly toasting the bread ahead of time prevents it from becoming soggy in the soup.
  • Keep a close eye during broiling to avoid burning the cheese.
  • Substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version (though not specified in this recipe).
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 50 mins
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Find it online: https://saraflavors.com/lazy-french-onion-soup-with-caramelized-onions-toasted-baguette-and-gruyere-cheese-recipe/