Alton Brown French Onion Soup Recipe

This Alton Brown French Onion Soup Recipe is rich and savory, which uses sweet onions and Gruyere cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Alton Brown French Onion Soup Recipe Ingredients

• 5 pounds sweet onions, such as Vidalias, or a combination of sweet and red onions
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 teaspoons kosher salt
• 16 fluid ounces white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
• 24 fluid ounces canned beef consommé or good-quality beef broth
• 16 fluid ounces chicken broth
• 1 bouquet garni (2 sprigs each thyme and parsley, and 2 bay leaves tied with kitchen string)
• 1 loaf country-style bread
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Splash Cognac, optional
• 4 ounces Fontina or Gruyere cheese, grated

How To Make Alton Brown French Onion Soup Recipe

1. Prep and sweat the onions: Peel and thinly slice the onions into half-moons. In a skillet or saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Layer in the onions with a teaspoon of salt between each layer. Let sweat without stirring for 15–20 minutes.
2. Caramelize the onions: Stir occasionally and continue cooking the onions until they are dark mahogany in color and reduced to about 2 cups. This takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Deglaze with wine: Add enough white wine to just cover the onions. Increase heat and cook until the wine reduces to a syrupy consistency, about 5–10 minutes.
4. Simmer the soup: Add beef consommé, chicken broth, and the bouquet garni. Lower heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes.
5. Toast the bread: Set oven to broil and position rack in the top third. Cut bread to fit crocks and broil slices for about 1 minute, just until lightly browned.
6. Assemble and broil: Season soup with pepper and Cognac if desired. Ladle soup into oven-safe crocks, top with toasted bread (toasted side down), and sprinkle with cheese. Broil 1–2 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Recipe Tips

• What onions work best for French onion soup?
  Vidalia or other sweet onions are ideal for their mild flavor and deep caramelization.
• How to get onions evenly caramelized:
  Cook them low and slow without stirring at first, then stir occasionally during the final stages.
• Can I skip the wine?
  Yes, substitute with a bit of extra broth and a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
• Why use two types of broth?
  Combining beef and chicken broth adds a richer, more complex base.
• How to keep bread from sinking:
  Broil the toast so it’s firm and place the toasted side down to stay crisp longer.

What To Serve With French Onion Soup

This soup can shine on its own or pair with:

• A crisp green salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Charcuterie or cheese platter
• Light pasta or grain dish
• Red or white wine (like Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc)

How To Store French Onion Soup

Refrigerate:
Store soup (without bread or cheese topping) in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze:
Cool and freeze soup base for up to 2 months. Add fresh bread and cheese when reheating.

French Onion Soup Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~320
• Protein: 11g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fat: 17g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make French onion soup ahead of time?
Yes, make the soup base in advance and refrigerate or freeze it. Add bread and cheese just before serving.

What’s the best cheese for French onion soup?
Gruyere is classic, but Fontina or even Swiss can work.

How to avoid soggy bread on top?
Broil the bread first and place it toasted-side down on the soup.

Why is my soup too sweet or bitter?
Use sweet onions and avoid burning them. Cook slowly and monitor closely.

Try More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Spatchcock Turkey Recipe
• Alton Brown Fried Chicken Recipe
• Alton Brown Lentil Soup Recipe