Dinner

Easy French Onion Soup Recipe

Name: Easy French Onion Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (approximately 4 cups); ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 32 ounces (960g) beef broth; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 30-35 homemade croutons, or store-bought, divided; ¼ cup (25g) parmesan cheese, grated, divided; 6 slices provolone cheese, divided; Parsley, for garnish

Bylina Carter November 23, 2025November 23, 2025

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

French Onion Soup is a classic, comforting dish known for its rich, caramelized onions and savory broth topped with melted cheese. This easy recipe guides you through creating a warm, satisfying soup perfect for any day.

The image shows a white bowl filled with French onion soup topped with a thick, browned layer of melted cheese that is golden and bubbly. Beneath the cheese is a soft, light brown bread layer soaking some broth. The lower layer is a rich, dark brown soup filled with translucent caramelized onions. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, holding some onions and part of the bread. The bowl sits on a dark wood table with some chopped green herbs in a small bowl nearby, and a dark purple cloth peeks from the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (approximately 4 cups)
½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder

32 ounces (960g) beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
30-35 homemade croutons, or store-bought, divided

¼ cup (25g) parmesan cheese, grated, divided
6 slices provolone cheese, divided
Parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onions.
Step 2: Sauté the onions for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are tender and have a deep brown caramel color.
Step 3: Stir in the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.

Step 4: Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Preheat your broiler and position the oven rack in the top middle of the oven. Prepare a baking pan to hold 6 broiler-safe bowls.
Step 6: Divide the soup evenly into the 6 bowls. Top each bowl with 6-7 croutons, one heaping teaspoon of grated parmesan, and one slice of provolone cheese.

Step 7: Place the bowls on the baking pan under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
Step 8: Remove the bowls from the oven and let the soup cool slightly before serving. Garnish with parsley.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of cheeses like Gruyère or Swiss for a more traditional flavor instead of or alongside provolone.

Homemade caramelized onions take time but provide a richer flavor; don’t rush this step.
Add a splash of dry white wine when simmering the broth for added depth.
For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef broth with mushroom or vegetable broth and omit Worcestershire sauce or use a vegetarian version.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to preserve texture and flavor. If you want to re-melt the cheese topping, place the reheated soup bowls under the broiler for a minute or two before serving.