Good morning! It’s SO nice to FINALLY find some time to share a post of my own with you! I’d love to give another shout out to my incredibly sweet and talented bloggy friends for helping me keep things going while I’ve been journeying through what must surely be the longest move ever! I’ll save all of the gory details for another day, but I must say … it’s SO good to be back!
My very favorite French Onion Soup!
I know, I know … everybody claims that their recipe is THE BEST, right? I promise friends, this one is the real deal! It’s the best French Onion Soup I’ve ever had! I mean EVER! Cross my heart, hope to die. But don’t take my word for it – go ahead and try it for yourself. It’s SO easy to make that there’s really no excuse not to.
FRENCH ONION SOUP
serves 4 to 6
Caramelized Onions:
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 large onions
1/4 cup water
sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Begin by slicing your onions. I like to use a mandolin because it makes SUCH quick work of the slicing and helps me to keep them all perfectly thin, but you could absolutely do this with any old knife too. I’ll admit, I’m a bit of an big old onion slicing wimp, so whenever I make this recipe, I pull out my trusty swimming goggles (which I own only for slicing onions by the way, because at 30 years old, I still don’t know how to swim!). I most definitely look pretty goofy decked out for the swimming pool, but with these babies shielding my eyes from the onion’s mighty scent, I’m able to avoid shedding even a single tear. Go on, try it! Who’s laughing now?!
As you’re slicing up that last onion, melt the butter and oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat – the oil will help protect the butter from burning. Once you’ve made it through all of your onions, toss them straight into the pot with your water and the salt and pepper and finally, cover with a tight fitting lid.
Let it all cook until the onions become quite wet (approximately 10 minutes). Then, remove the lid, and continue cooking over medium-high heat until all of the water has evaporated, making sure to stir them often so the onions don’t have a chance to burn. Once the water has evaporated, lower the heat to begin to caramelize the onions. The trick here is to cook them low and slow for about an hour or so, stirring once in a while to ensure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
Soup:
1/2 cup of brandy
4 cups of chicken stock
leaves from 2 sprigs of fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon of dried)
sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground pepper
any sort of crusty bread
2 cups of shredded Gruyere or Emmenthal cheese (I like to use both)
Once the onions have reached a deep, golden colour and have shrunk dramatically, pour in the brandy, turn up the heat and cook a few more minutes. Add the chicken broth and, once simmering, add the thyme leaves, sea salt and pepper. Continue cooking for 15 minutes or so.
While everything is simmering, get those bread slices toasted up – you can do this in your toaster, or I find it easier to do it all at once in the oven by spreading it on a baking sheet and cooking it at 425 for 5 minutes.
To serve, preheat the broiler in your oven. Ladle the soup into oven safe bowls until they are 3/4 full. Then, cover the soup with your toasted bread and finally, top each bowl with a big ol’ mound of cheese. Broil for 3-4 minutes until the cheese has melted and bubbles.
That’s it my friends! It really is SO easy to make and is sure to knock the socks off of anyone lucky enough to eat it!
Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!!!
*This post was originally shared on Or So She Says.
PS. You can find me sharing here and Savvy Southern Style.
Breanna says
This looks and sounds so delish!! The hubs LOVES French Onion Soup so I think I might just need to try this! Glad to have you back 😉
Kristi says
Thanks Bre! It really is THE BEST!
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
Yummy! We love French onion soup! And I just read that chewing gum while slicing onions will keep you from crying… I always have to walk away, and never thought of goggles! Lol! Have a wonderful day!
Kristi says
Really?! I’ll definitely have to try that Kendra! Thanks for the tip!
Sandy Sandmeyer says
I’m so glad that you joined us for this week’s Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party! I’ve pinned your post to the BBPP Pinterest Board. See you next week!
Kristi says
Awwww, thanks SO much Sandy! Have a fabulous week!
Tracee says
Wow! Not only does this sound incredibly delicious, but it is such a gorgeous dish. Thanks for sharing on Tip Me Tuesday. 🙂
Kristi says
Thank you SO much Tracee!
Corinna - For My Love Of says
Wow! That’s an insane soup! If anyone knows a substitute for chicken stock, I’ll be sure to report on the result!
Kristi says
Thanks Corinna! Are you looking for a vegetarian version? I’ll keep my eyes open for options!
Corinna - For My Love Of says
Yes! Thanks girl!
Kristi says
Thanks Corinna!
Bliss says
Stopping in to pin and with any luck I’ll be stopping to eat this by weeks end.
Kristi says
Awwww, thanks Bliss!!! You’re going to LOVE it!
Alyssa @ Piece of Home says
Thanks for this! I’m a HUGE fan of French Onion soup! I am putting this on the menu tonight! Pinned!
Kristi says
Oh good! Hope you love it as much as we do!!!
Krista @ the happy housie says
This looks incredible Kristi! I have never made it before… But my mouth is watering just looking at yours. I can’t wait to pin this and try it!! Looking forward to hearing more about the new house and the move… Such a big job!
Kristi says
Thank you SO, SO much Krista! I’m not going to lie, moving over two months has kinda knocked me on my butt – I’m very much looking forward to getting back into the swing of things now 🙂 Have a wonderful week girl!
Laura says
I love French Onion Soup. In fact, I just posted my own recipe the other day! Yours sounds so good. I think thyme is key in this soup, don’t you?
Kristi says
Thank you SO much Laura! I’ll have to swing by to check yours out too! There’s nothing better than some warm soup on a cold winter’s day is there?
Deborah says
This sounds to die for! I love French onion soup! Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Blessings, Deborah
Kristi says
Thank you Deborah! I hope you love it as much as I do!!!
Christina @ Operation Home says
Dude! Now I’m hungry. This looks so delish!! I’m gonna have to try it, but with gluten-free bread. Thanks for the recipe, Kristi! 🙂
Kristi says
Oh good! I promise you’ll LOVE it Christina!
Heaven says
My husband’s favorite vegetable is the onion. I have this pinned! Found you on a bowl full of Lemons. Following on g+. 🙂
Kristi says
Hahaha! Well, he should love this then 😉 Thank you SO much!!!
Kristi says
PS. Following you back!
Lara says
this looks amazing!
Kristi says
Thank you SO much Lara!
Linda Nelson says
Wow, that looks yummy.
Kristi says
Thanks Linda!!!
Angie says
This soup looks AMAZING! I love french onion soup but haven’t made it for my family before. I think I’ll start them off with this one. =) I’ve pinned your recipe to save. Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful post!
Kristi says
Thank you Angie! I’m thrilled that you’re hoping to try it! I just know your family will love it as much as mine does!
Carole says
French Onion Soup is one of my all time favs! This looks amazing! Stopping by from Made by you Monday and pinning to Pinterest!
Kristi says
Oh thank you Carole! I’m sure that you’re going to love it as much as I do! Happy weekend!
Gentle Joy says
This looks really good… perfect for a cold day like today. 🙂
Kristi says
Thank you SO much! We live in Norther AB where it seems to be snowy and cold for 3/4 of the year – warm soups like this are a staple up here! Have a wonderful weekend!
Erica @ The Crumby Cupcake says
This is seriously making my mouth water! Putting this on this week’s menu! Thanks for linking up with us at Hump Day Happenings!! Hope to see you next week!
Kristi says
Awwww, I’m SO glad Erica! I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we do! Have a fabulous week girl!
Lindsay Eidahl says
Oh my goodness! I need a bowl of this right now! Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe on Show Me Saturday!
Kristi says
Thanks SO much Lindsay! I promise, you’re going to LOVE it!
Kimberly says
This looks incredible! I’m licking my lips right now. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for taking the time to party with us. We hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. It wouldn’t be a party without you! Lou Lou Girls
Amanda says
Ooh yumm! I’m adding this to my must make list! I’ve never actually had French onion soup. Thank you for sharing your recipe with us at Merry Monday! Pinned!
Kristi says
Really Amanda?! You don’t know what you’re missing! You’ll LOVE it girl! Thank you so much!
Maartje Quilt says
I love onion soupe and yours is delicious. But you can reduce the amount of butter and oil to make it healthier. There is a lot of fat in cheese too!!
Enjoy your cooking and meals.
Kristi says
Thanks SO much Maartje! You are absolutely right, you could definitely cut down on the butter and oil, or perhaps find a healthier alternative, but it’s definitely a nice treat once in a while just the way it is too 😉 Have a wonderful week!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
I’ve never made French Onion Soup at home, but I’ll definitely give this a try! Featured you at our party this morning. Thanks so much for sharing!
Kristi says
Oh wow! Thank you!!! This is definitely the one to try then Sharon!!! Have a wonderful week!
Mary says
Super duper yummy. Was wondering though, as a vegiesaurus, could one use vegie broth instead of chicken broth?? Do you think it would make it icky?
Kristi says
Hmmmmm, you know I’m not sure how that would change the taste, I’d definitely give it a try though Mary!
Lisa M Nelson says
You can use vegetable stock/broth and 1tsp of worchershire sauce
Kristi says
Thanks for sharing!
Patricia says
I needed to use onions before they went bad….husband suggested French onion soup. I found your recipe and just made the broth to freeze. Taste tested the broth which blew my mind!! I got what you promised in the name!! Thank You 😊. This is the BEST French Onion Soup I’ve ever tasted!! I look forward to completing this recipe and truly enjoy this soup!
Kristi says
I’m SO happy you loved it Patricia! It’s still my very favourite recipe, even all these years later!