Julia Child's French Onion Soup Recipe
Julia Child's French Onion Soup Recipe is a classic and comforting dish. It is rich, savory and full of caramelized onion flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 slices baguette toasted
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Onions
- Peel and thinly slice all onions. Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and stir gently to coat.
Caramelize the Onions
- Add salt and sugar to onions. Cook slowly for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Onions should become golden brown and sweet, not burnt.
Add Garlic and Deglaze
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan. Stir to lift all brown bits from the bottom.
Add Broth and Herbs
- Pour beef broth into the pot. Add bay leaf and thyme. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer gently for 15 minutes to blend flavors.
Adjust Seasoning
- Taste soup and add salt and black pepper as needed. Remove bay leaf before serving. Soup should be rich, flavorful and savory.
Prepare Bread and Cheese
- Toast baguette slices until golden. Sprinkle grated Gruyère cheese on top of each slice. Prepare oven-safe bowls or crocks for serving.
Assemble and Broil
- Ladle soup into bowls. Place toasted bread with cheese on top of soup. Place bowls under a broiler for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve Immediately
- Remove carefully from oven. Serve hot and enjoy the rich flavors of Julia Child's French Onion Soup Recipe.
Notes
- Slice onions evenly for uniform cooking.
- Cook onions slowly for deep caramelized flavor.
- Use high-quality beef broth for richness.
- Toast bread lightly to prevent sogginess.
- Broil cheese just before serving for best texture.