Description
Hearty Crockpot French Onion Soup delivers classic French comfort with caramelized onions and rich broth. Slow-cooked perfection provides warm, savory satisfaction that brings Paris to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (1.4 liters / 48 fl oz) beef broth (low sodium recommended)
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups (170 grams / 5.5 oz) shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
- 1 baguette, sliced
- ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fl oz) dry white wine (optional, or substitute beef broth)
- 3 tbsps (45 grams / 1.5 oz) butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15 milliliters / 0.5 fl oz) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 milliliters / 0.5 fl oz) olive oil
- 1 tsp (5 grams / 0.2 oz) sugar
- 1 tsp (5 grams / 0.2 oz) salt
- ½ tsp (2.5 grams / 0.1 oz) black pepper
- 1 tsp (1 gram / 0.03 oz) fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine sliced onions with butter, olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper in the crockpot, ensuring thorough and even distribution through careful mixing.
- Caramelization: Allow onions to slowly transform by cooking on low temperature for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, developing a rich golden-brown color and intense flavor profile.
- Flavor Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, optional wine, beef broth, fresh thyme, and bay leaf into the caramelized onion base, stirring until ingredients meld harmoniously.
- Simmering: Continue cooking on low setting for an additional 2-3 hours to deepen flavors, then remove the bay leaf before final preparation.
- Bread and Cheese Topping: Toast baguette slices under direct heat until golden and crisp, then layer soup in heat-resistant ceramic bowls, covering with toasted bread and generously crowning with melting cheese.
- Broiling: Position cheese-topped bowls under the broiler, carefully watching as cheese bubbles and transforms into a gloriously golden, slightly crisp topping within 2-3 minutes.
- Serving: Present the soup immediately, piping hot, inviting diners to experience the rich, comforting essence of this classic French-inspired culinary creation.
Notes
- Onion Caramelization Technique: Slowly cook onions on low heat to develop deep, sweet flavor without burning; stir occasionally to ensure even browning and prevent sticking.
- Flavor Intensification Tip: Add splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar during caramelization to enhance depth and complexity of the soup’s taste profile.
- Cheese Selection Strategy: Choose high-moisture cheeses like Gruyère or Swiss for optimal melting and golden-brown crispy top; avoid pre-shredded varieties that contain anti-caking agents.
- Dietary Adaptation Hack: Replace beef broth with vegetable broth for vegetarian version; use gluten-free bread for those with wheat sensitivities and select lactose-free cheese alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg