Easy French Onion Soup for Guests

This is French onion soup made the easy way! It's the perfect starter for fall or winter dinners. The secret is a splash of sherry vinegar and sherry wine. Top with a slice of baguette bread, sprinkle with Gruyere, and broil to golden brown for an impressive first course.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 40 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins
• Calories: 253 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup dry sherry
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• 3 large yellow onions, coarsely chopped
• 6 (1/4 inch thick) slices French baguette, toasted
• 6 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Melt butter in a large skillet over low heat. Cook onions with salt, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and golden, about 40 to 45 minutes.

Step 2

Mix in thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Pour in sherry wine and sherry vinegar, and stir in black pepper. Pour in beef broth, chicken broth, and water. Stir to combine, and allow the soup to simmer gently for one hour.

Step 3

Ladle soup into heat-proof crocks. Place a slice of toasted baguette on top of each crock, and sprinkle 1 ounce of shredded Gruyere cheese per serving.

Step 4

Preheat oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Place the filled crocks on a baking sheet, and broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 1 minute.