Description
A rich, comforting French onion soup made easy with a slow cooker. This recipe features deeply caramelized onions, savory beef broth, and melted Gruyère cheese on toasted baguette croutons.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large yellow onions (about 2.5 lbs), sliced into half-moons
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup dry sherry wine
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small French baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 2 cups Gruyère cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Slice the onions into thin half-moons and place them in the slow cooker.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 10-15 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Transfer the softened onions back into the slow cooker.
- Pour in the sherry wine, scraping up any brown bits from the skillet. Add beef broth, minced garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours if short on time).
- About 10 minutes before serving, preheat the oven broiler. Toast baguette slices under the broiler for 1-2 minutes per side until golden.
- Top each toast with shredded Gruyère and broil for another 1-2 minutes until bubbly and browned.
- Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls or ramekins.
- Float a cheese-topped crouton on top of each bowl and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not rush the onions; low and slow cooking is essential for deep flavor. Grate your own Gruyère cheese to ensure smooth melting. If the soup is watery after cooking, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for the last hour to reduce. The soup base can be frozen for up to 3 months (without cheese and bread).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with 1 crouto
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: French onion soup, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, Gruyère cheese, weeknight dinner, easy soup, caramelized onions