Best Authentic French Onion Soup Recipe

Would you like to know the secrets about the best authentic French Onion Soup recipe? Here is all you need to know about it!

For starting, you have to know that onion is excellent for health. It has many beneficial actions on the organism. It is a diuretic and an antibacterial, and it lowers blood sugar levels while protecting the cardiovascular system.

White, yellow, pink or red, the onion is an essential aromatic bulb in cooking and can be used fresh, semi-dry or dry. You can eat them as an aromatic, as a vegetable or as a condiment. It is therefore everywhere! 

Onions can be eaten raw or cooked. Depending on the variety, its taste can be pungent, sweet or mild. You could eat them throughout the year. You can also freeze or dehydrate them. This avoids crying during peeling. 

The modern version of this soup came from France in the 17th century, made with dry bread or croutons, beef broth and caramelized onions.

Why wedding onion soup?

A centuries-old tradition

Tradition dictates that at the end of the wedding festivities, the newlyweds retire to a secret location. Guests then leave in search of the newlyweds during the night to offer them an onion soup served in a chamber pot.

Why onion soup?

Popular legend has it that it was Louis XV who invented onion soup when he was late at night in his hunting lodge with only onions, champagne and butter as ingredients.

When to eat onion soup?

Once the bride and groom have gone to bed, some guests come to wake them up in the middle of the night to make them eat onion soup served in a chamber pot. The purpose of this tradition is to spend a convivial moment with their guests after a busy day.

How to color an onion soup?

To give a nice color to the onion soup, you just have to add 1 or 2 unpeeled onions, well washed, the peel of the onions will give a nice amber color to the soup (same for the pot au feu).

The best varieties of onions

‘Blanc hâtif de Paris’: this large white onion has a sweet and delicately sweet flavor. You could use it in raw in salads or cooked in pan-fried vegetables, always fresh …

The’Snowball’ is a large white onion with a sweet flavor. It is crunchy, and you could use it in salads and sandwiches.

What type of white wine for onion soup?

Onion soup au gratin goes perfectly with dry white wine rather “young” like a good white Burgundy Chitry, a white Côtes du Jura, a white Arbois, a white Côtes de Bourg, Bourg et Bourgeais or a white Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire.

What is the strongest onion?

Red onions, which are rather pinkish or light purple, have a taste similar to yellow onions, but it is also stronger

What is the difference between red or white onion?

Red onion is rarer than white onion or yellow onion. Its taste is more subtle and its flavor is slightly sweeter than that of yellow onion. Its aroma makes it a real ally of salads and raw vegetables because it is much better raw.

Is it good to eat onion?

A regular consumption of onion is beneficial and avoids the possible formation of blood clots. It protects against the risk of vessel obstruction and thrombosis.

What is the difference between onion and shallot?

Shallots grow in bunches. They are sweeter and milder than the common varieties of onion in France. They require less care in their cultivation than the onion, which has only one bulb per plant. The onion reproduces by seeds, while the shallot reproduces by bulbs.

How to eat spring onions?

The spring onion is mostly eaten raw in salads. But you can add its into a comfit and added to a vegetable quiche or mashed potatoes.

Can the shallot replace the onion?

Sweeter than onion and tasty, shallot is ideal in salad dressings. In cooking, shallots can replace onions in dishes that require less power (Picardes strings, terrines, sauces to accompany meat pieces…).

Which onion for cooking?

The yellow onion is the most used in French cuisine. Its extremely pronounced smell and taste make it an essential culinary product, especially to give flavor to your cooked dishes. In the same family, we find the saucier onion. It is a small onion with a diameter of less than 40 mm.

What are the vitamins in onions?

Let the onion do you good! Rich in vitamins A, B and especially C, it is full of minerals and trace elements.

Put your onion in the fridge

Whether it’s quickly in the freezer or fifteen minutes in the refrigerator, placing the onion in a cool place prevents it from pricking too much when cut.

INGREDIENTS

-6 yellow onions, peeled (4 if there are big) -2 garlic glove
-55 g (1/4 cup) butter
-125 ml (1/2 cup) wine
-30 ml (2 tablespoons) cognac
-4 cups chicken broth
-15 g(1 tablespoon) all-purpose flour
-1 pinch of ground nutmeg or if you don’t like it, some dry herbs like herbs of Provence Salt and pepper

Upholstery:

200 g (2 cups) grated Gruyère cheese
12 slices baguette bread, about 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick, toasted
1 clove of garlic

PREPARATION

Cut onions into quarters, then slice each quarter into short cubs. Do Do the same for the garlic clove.

In a wide sauté pan over medium heat, soften the onions and garlic in the butter for 15 minutes, stirring a few times.

Then, you need to continue to cook it over high heat for 15 minutes. When your onions are caramelized, stirring constantly. Scrap the bottom of the pan if it’s necessary. When the onions are golden and tender, add flour and mix. 

Deglaze with wine and cognac. Allow reducing almost dry.

Add the chicken or/and beef broths and nutmeg. Mix well.

Bring to a boil and simmer over medium-high heat for 30 minutes or until soup has reduced by half. You will get about 1.25 litres (5 cups) of broth. Season with salt and pepper.

Crouton preparation

Slide the baguette and toast it.

Meanwhile, the soup is cooking, lightly rub each crouton with the garlic clove , in order to let the garlic penetrated into the slice.

When the soup is well reduced, pour it into bowls ( 1 bowl per people) Place some slices of bread, around 3 croutons, but it will depend on the size of your plate, and cover with cheese.

Preheat the broiler oven (broil).

Place the bowls on a baking sheet.

Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.

Et voilà, I whish you a bon appétit!

If you would like to cook this best authentic French onion soup recipe with me, yes let’s do it together with my private online classes. Contact me on deliciousbyemma.com and we will organize a private virtual session where I will teach you all my tricks and tips.