Easy French Onion Soup with Gruyère Toasts

A classic French bistro starter – made easy for home chefs.

Rich, comforting, and layered with flavor, French onion soup is one of the most iconic starters in French cuisine. This easy version captures the same deep umami and sweet-caramelized magic — with crispy golden toasts topped with melty Gruyère cheese.

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⏱️ Recipe Overview

• Servings: 4

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 45 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour

• Difficulty: Easy

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🛒 Ingredients

For the soup:

• 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp flour

• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)

• 4 cups beef or vegetable stock

• 1 bay leaf

• Fresh thyme sprigs

• Black pepper to taste

For the toasts:

• 1 baguette, sliced into rounds

• 1 ½ cups grated Gruyère cheese

• Olive oil (for brushing)

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👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Caramelize the onions:
   In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, salt, and sugar. Cook slowly for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized.

2. Deglaze and season:
   Stir in garlic and flour, cook for 1 minute. Deglaze with white wine (if using), scraping up browned bits. Add stock, bay leaf, and thyme. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Season with black pepper.

3. Make the Gruyère toasts:
   While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place baguette slices on a baking tray, brush with olive oil, and toast until golden (about 5–7 mins). Top with cheese and broil until bubbly.

4. Serve:
   Ladle the soup into bowls, float one or two cheese toasts on top, and garnish with a few thyme leaves.

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🎯 Gourmet Tip

For a restaurant-style finish, serve in oven-safe bowls, place the toast on top, add extra cheese, and broil the whole bowl for a few minutes until golden and bubbling.