Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman French Onion Soup is a cheesy and savory recipe, which is made with sweet caramelized onions and nutty Gruyère cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, perfect for a cozy evening.
Pioneer Woman French Onion Soup Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 4 large (or 6 medium) yellow onions (3 to 3 1/2 lbs.), thinly sliced
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 qt. low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 qt. beef broth
- 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 6 thick slices of french bread or baguette
- 6 oz. gruyère cheese, grated
How To Make Pioneer Woman French Onion Soup
- Caramelize the onions: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Then, place the pot (with the lid slightly ajar) into the oven and cook for 1 hour, stirring once halfway through.
- Finish caramelizing on the stovetop: Remove the pot from the oven and place it back on the stove over medium heat. Continue to cook the onions, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom of the pot, until they are a deep golden brown.
- Build the broth: Turn off the heat and pour in the wine to deglaze the pan. Return the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the wine to reduce. Add the chicken broth, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 30 to 45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the cheesy toast: While the soup simmers, preheat the broiler. Butter one side of the bread slices and broil them for 1 to 2 minutes until browned and crispy.
- Assemble and broil: Ladle the hot soup into oven-proof bowls. Place a slice of the crispy bread on top of each and sprinkle generously with the grated Gruyère cheese. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How to get perfectly caramelized onions? The key is the long, slow cooking process. The initial cook time in the oven is a great hands-off method to get them started, but the final browning on the stovetop, where you scrape up all the flavorful bits, is crucial for that deep, sweet flavor.
- Can I use a different cheese? Yes. While Gruyère is classic for its nutty flavor and excellent melting, you could also use Swiss, provolone, or even a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Can I make this without wine? You can substitute the wine with an equal amount of additional beef or chicken broth to deglaze the pan. The flavor will be slightly less complex but still delicious.
- How to prevent soggy bread? Toasting or broiling the bread slices until they are crisp and dry before placing them on the soup is the most important step. This helps them hold up to the broth.
What To Serve With French Onion Soup
This rich and hearty soup is a complete meal in a bowl. It’s traditionally served on its own or with a simple side.
- A crisp green salad with a sharp Dijon vinaigrette
- A slice of crusty bread for extra dipping
- A simple side of roasted asparagus
How To Store French Onion Soup
- Refrigerate: Store the soup base (without the bread and cheese topping) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: The soup base freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe container.
French Onion Soup Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 20g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why cook the onions in the oven?
This is a clever, mostly hands-off technique to get the caramelization process started. It allows the onions to soften and sweeten slowly and evenly without constant stirring.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes. To make a vegetarian version, simply substitute the chicken and beef broths with a rich, dark vegetable broth or mushroom broth.
What’s the best bread to use?
A sturdy, day-old French baguette is perfect. You want a bread that is dense enough to hold its structure when it soaks up the broth.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Bean and Ham Soup Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Recipe
Pioneer Woman French Onion Soup Recipe
Description
A classic and deeply comforting soup with sweet, slow-cooked caramelized onions in a rich broth, all topped with a crusty, cheesy crouton.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large Dutch oven, cook onions in butter, covered, on the stove for 20 mins.
- Transfer the pot to the oven and cook for 1 hour with the lid ajar, stirring once.
- Return the pot to the stove and finish caramelizing the onions until deep golden brown.
- Deglaze with wine, then add broths and seasonings. Simmer for 30-45 minutes.
- Broil buttered bread slices until crisp.
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with the bread and a generous amount of Gruyère cheese.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- u003cliu003eTaking the time to properly caramelize the onions is the most important step for developing the soup’s deep, sweet flavor.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best results, use a combination of both beef and chicken broth for a more complex flavor.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUse oven-proof bowls or crocks for the final broiling step.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis soup tastes even better the next day, making it a great make-ahead dish for a dinner party.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman French Onion Soup Recipe
