Michael Symon French Onion Soup Recipe for Bold Flavor

French onion soup elevates humble ingredients into a gastronomic masterpiece that dances across your palate with luxurious, intricate flavors.

Caramelized onions weave a golden tapestry of sweetness and depth in this beloved comfort classic.

Skilled culinary artisans understand how slow, deliberate cooking transforms basic components into something spectacular.

Each steaming spoonful whispers tales of rich broth, silky onions, and golden-crusted cheese melting sensuously.

The alchemy occurs through patient simmering that coaxes profound, nuanced tastes from simple elements.

Professional chefs recognize this dish demands tender loving care to unlock its true culinary potential.

Experience a soul-warming symphony that turns everyday ingredients into an unforgettable epicurean adventure.

How to Cook Michael Symon’s French Onion Soup

• Craft Caramelized Onion Base

Gently melt butter in a sturdy pot over medium heat. Add sliced onions and transform them slowly, stirring consistently until they reach a rich golden-brown color. This slow dance takes about 30 minutes, with more frequent stirring towards the end to prevent burning.

• Elevate Flavor Profile

Introduce minced garlic and let it bloom for a moment. Dust a light layer of flour and stir, creating a subtle thickening foundation for your soup’s depth.

• Build Liquid Layers

Pour in white wine, beef stock, and Worcestershire sauce. Use a wooden spoon to rescue those delicious browned bits clinging to the pot’s bottom, unlocking additional flavor dimensions.

• Infuse and Simmer

Drop in bay leaf and fresh thyme. Let the soup gently bubble, then reduce heat and allow flavors to mingle and develop for 10-15 minutes under a protective lid.

• Create Crispy Croutons

Heat oven to 400°F. Slice baguette into rustic chunks and bake until they transform into golden, crunchy companions for your soup. These will add delightful texture and crunch.

• Cheese Crown

Switch oven to broil. Ladle steaming soup into oven-safe bowls. Top with a baguette slice and blanket generously with Gruyère cheese.

• Final Flourish

Broil 2-4 minutes until cheese melts into a bubbly, golden landscape. Watch closely to prevent burning – this is the moment of culinary magic.

Cooking Advice for French Onion Soup

Transform this recipe by using a slow cooker. Caramelize onions on low for 6-8 hours for deeper, richer flavor without constant stirring.

Experiment with different cheese options like sharp cheddar, fontina, or provolone to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.

Choose dry white wines like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to enhance the soup’s complexity. Avoid sweet varieties that might overpower the caramelized onion’s delicate taste.

Elevate the soup by adding fresh herbs like rosemary or sage. Chop finely and sprinkle on top just before serving for an aromatic burst of freshness.

Serving Suggestions for French Onion Soup

• Rustic Table Setting: Arrange bowls on wooden boards with extra baguette slices scattered around for a cozy, French-inspired presentation.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the rich onion soup with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a medium-bodied Pinot Noir to enhance the flavor profile.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh thyme or parsley on top just before serving to add a bright, aromatic finish to the golden-topped soup.
• Side Salad Companion: Serve with a light mixed green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and add a fresh contrast.

Storage Tips for French Onion Soup Leftovers

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop onions and slice baguette a day before cooking to reduce day-of kitchen stress. Store prepped ingredients separately in sealed containers inside refrigerator.
• Refrigeration Recommendations: Transfer leftover French onion soup to airtight containers. Properly stored, soup maintains quality for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below. Separate croutons to prevent soggy texture.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Freeze soup base without cheese topping for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then reheat gently on stovetop. Add fresh croutons and cheese when serving to restore original texture and flavor.
• Reheating Best Practices: Warm soup slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. For individual servings, use microwave in 30-second intervals or reheat in oven-safe bowls. Add fresh cheese topping just before serving to maintain that delicious golden-brown crispy layer.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Michael Symon’s French Onion Soup Ingredient List

• Butter: Select high-quality European-style butter for richer flavor.
• Onions: Choose sweet yellow onions with firm, glossy skin for best caramelization.
• Garlic: Pick fresh, firm bulbs without sprouting for most intense taste.
• Flour: Use unbleached all-purpose flour for smooth thickening.

• White Wine: Select dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc for bright undertones.
• Beef Stock: Opt for low-sodium version to control salt levels.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Choose traditional aged version for deeper complexity.

• Bay Leaf: Select whole, unbroken dried leaves for robust flavor.
• Fresh Thyme: Pick bright green sprigs without wilting edges.

• Baguette: Select day-old crusty French bread for perfect crouton texture.
• Gruyère Cheese: Use aged Swiss Gruyère with nutty, complex profile.

Tools to Prepare French Onion Soup

• Heavy-bottomed Stockpot: Perfect for even heat distribution and preventing burning during caramelization.
• Wooden Spoon: Essential for stirring onions and scraping browned bits without scratching the pot.
• Chef's Knife: Needed for slicing onions and mincing garlic with precision.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps add the right amount of flour and seasonings.
• Baking Sheet: Used for toasting baguette slices into crispy croutons.
• Oven-Safe Bowls: Crucial for creating the classic French onion soup presentation and broiling.
• Grater: Ideal for shredding Gruyère cheese evenly.
• Broiler: Melts cheese to golden, bubbly perfection.
• Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot dishes and baking sheet.

Caramelized French Onion Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty michael symon french onion soup celebrates classic comfort with rich, caramelized onions and savory broth. Melted cheese crowns this rustic French classic, offering a warm embrace of deeply developed flavors.

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Ingredients

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• 4 lbs (1.8 kg) yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
• 6 cups (1.4 L) beef or vegetable stock
• ½ cup (120 ml) dry white wine
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps (24 g) flour
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• fine sea salt, to taste
• freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• grated or sliced cheese (Gruyere, Asiago, Swiss, Gouda, or Mozzarella)

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Instructions

1. Caramelize Onions: In a heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-high heat (350°F/175°C), melt butter and slowly cook sliced onions, stirring every 3-5 minutes for approximately 30 minutes until deep golden-brown.
2. Develop Flavor Base: Add minced garlic and sauté briefly, then sprinkle flour to create a roux, stirring continuously for one minute to enhance the soup’s thickness and richness.
3. Build Liquid Foundation: Deglaze the pot with wine, scraping caramelized bits from the bottom, then pour in beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and fresh thyme, combining thoroughly.
4. Simmer and Refine: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld; remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Prepare Cheese Topping: Slice baguette into 1-inch pieces, toast at 400°F (204°C) for 6-8 minutes until golden and crisp, then arrange oven-safe bowls on a baking sheet.
6. Final Assembly and Broiling: Ladle hot soup into bowls, top with toasted baguette slice and generous grated cheese, then broil 6 inches from heat source for 2-4 minutes until cheese melts and turns bubbly and golden.
7. Serve Immediately: Remove from oven promptly and serve piping hot, ensuring guests experience the soup’s intense, comforting flavors.

Notes

• Caramelize Carefully: Slow cooking onions is crucial for developing deep, sweet flavor; rushing this step compromises the soup’s fundamental taste profile.
• Roux Technique Matters: Stirring flour thoroughly prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, velvety soup texture without unwanted clumps.
• Cheese Selection Tip: Choose a high-moisture, meltable cheese like Gruyère or Comté for the most authentic French onion soup experience.
• Broiling Precision: Watch the cheese topping closely during the final 2-4 minutes to achieve perfect golden-brown color without burning the surface.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg