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Classic French onion soup

Name: Classic French onion soup
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: Serves 6
Cuisine: French recipes
Ingredients: 50g butter; Splash of olive oil; 12 large onions, finely sliced; 8 fresh thyme sprigs; Good splash of calvados; 200ml dry white wine; 1.5 litres fresh beef stock; 6 slices of baguette; 30g gruyère, grated, plus extra to serve

Published: 31 Oct 13
Updated: 18 Mar 24

This classic French onion soup recipe is a comforting and hearty. Serve with gruyère cheese toasts.

Easy
November 2013

Test kitchen approved

Serves 6
Hands-on time 25 minutes, time on hob 1 hour 15 minutes

This classic French onion soup recipe is a comforting and hearty. Serve with gruyère cheese toasts.

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 433kcals
Fat: 11.7g (5.8g saturated)
Protein: 18.9g
Carbohydrates: 41.8g (16.2g sugars)
Fibre: 6.6g
Salt: 1.5g

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Ingredients

50g butter
Splash of olive oil
12 large onions, finely sliced
8 fresh thyme sprigs
Good splash of calvados
200ml dry white wine
1.5 litres fresh beef stock
6 slices of baguette
30g gruyère, grated, plus extra to serve

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Method

Melt the butter in a large frying pan with a good splash of olive oil, then gently fry the onions, finely for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, cover with a lid and fry very gently for 30-40 minutes. Remove the lid and fry for a further 15 minutes until really soft and golden brown.
Tip the caramelised onions into a large saucepan with the thyme sprigs, then add a good splash of calvados and the white wine. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add 1.5 litres fresh beef stock. Simmer for a further 30-40 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the grill. Top the baguette slices with the grated gruyère, then melt under the grill. Serve the soup with the toasts on top and extra grated gruyère.