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Lazy French Onion Soup

This Lazy French Onion Soup simplifies the classic dish by caramelizing onions in the oven, reducing the need for constant stirring. The result is a deeply flavorful, rich broth topped with toasted baguette slices and bubbly, melted Gruyère cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner or an elegant appetizer

  • Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

To make this simplified version of French onion soup, you’ll need:

  • 3 yellow onions, thinly sliced

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 3 thyme sprigs, plus extra 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

  • 12 (1/2-inch-thick) slices French bread or baguette, lightly toasted

  • 8 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and place the rack in the middle position.

  2. Caramelize Onions in the Oven: In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine onions, olive oil, and thyme sprigs. Cover and bake for 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Uncover and continue baking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized (about 30 more minutes).

  3. Deglaze the Pot: Remove the pot from the oven, stir in dry sherry, and cook over medium heat, scraping up browned bits until the liquid mostly evaporates (about 3 minutes).

  4. Make the Soup Base: Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, salt, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and let simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in apple cider vinegar and discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf.

  5. Prepare for Broiling: Increase oven temperature to broil. Ladle soup evenly into 6 broiler-proof bowls or crocks, and place them on a rimmed baking sheet.

  6. Top and Broil: Place 2 slices of toasted bread on top of each bowl of soup and sprinkle with about 1/3 cup of shredded Gruyère cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned (3 to 5 minutes).

  7. Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately.

  • Author: Paula
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 546 per serving