How To Make Amazing French Onion Soup

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Today we're making French onion soup! This is a great soup to enjoy all fall and winter long. Take your time with the onions and if you can, refrigerate it overnight for even more flavor. Enjoy!
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***PRINT RECIPE WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCESS SHOTS***
www.sipandfeast.com/french-on...
INGREDIENTS WITH GRAM AMOUNTS
For the caramelized onions
4 pounds (1.8kg) yellow onions - sliced thinly from root to stem
2 tablespoons (28g) olive oil
3 ounces water
1 teaspoon (5g) salt
4 tablespoons (56g) butter
Making the soup
1 tablespoon (8g) flour
1 tablespoon (11g) tomato paste
1/2 cup (120g) dry vermouth or 1 cup (240g) dry white wine
1 tablespoon (13g) brandy or sherry - optional
1 tablespoon (~4g) fresh thyme leaves
8 cups (1.9kg) low-sodium beef stock
4 cloves garlic - minced
~8 slices baguette 1/2" thick, or enough to mostly cover the soup bowl
1 1/2 cups (140g) Gruyere - sliced or shredded
salt and pepper - to taste
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[@SipandFeast]

If you can make this one day ahead the flavor will be much improved. Also, it's very easy to warm up, top with cheese, and broil the next day for a fast meal. As always, the ingredients and print recipe are linked in the description. Thanks for watching and sharing our videos.

[@fjbwoodworking8099]

😊We use Harvey's Bristol Cream to diglaze. 😊

[@anthonylosego]

"maybe a 9???".... wonder twins power, activate! lol

[@lisabishop6266]

I have always use a bit of old Milwaukee beer in my French onion soup. No one has ever quessed what the different flavor is and most ask for 2nds lol.

[@SandwichLady]

@@lisabishop6266, I would never have considered using Old Milwaukee beer because I don’t care for the taste as a beverage. But, for me, it may be worth a try if I can buy a single can or bottle. Thanks for sharing.

[@lisabishop6266]

@@SandwichLady in my town in upstate NY we can buy single cans 😁

[@iheartcleveland216]

This is why I love this channel: "If its burning, just lift up the pot!" - That's REAL LIFE home cooking!!! No shame in the lifting up the pot game! Everybody does it! 🤗

[@joelalexander4513]

PLUS A DRIZZLE OR TWO OF TAP WATER? fORGET ABOUT IT. lol

Great video as always ! Some insight from France here for what it's worth, grand parents and parents have been cooking onion soup like forever. We're not using vermouth nor brandy (not popular here) but white wine. As for the tomato paste, we also usually do not put any tomato (its' a really old traditional soup and tomatoes were more higher class), but potatoes for sure, just a little bit so that the starch will be bringing some more balance. There is a very special traditional moment for cooking this soup in large quantities : at the end of a wedding party, like 5 or 6AM. Cleans the excess like nothing else.

[@faithsrvtrip8768]

Thank you! I always have white wine but never have vermouth or brandy!

[@jackiewinters5792]

Thank you! What a great explanation - some really helpful tips! 💜🥣

[@margaretkelly3228]

Thank you for sharing this. What kind of wine do you use such as dry, semi-dry or sweet? How much do you use? Thank you.

[@malloryg4251]

I really appreciate your input. Also, thank you for staying respectful and not being rude like some people on here!

[@LM-gq1om]

I've never seen or used tomato paste in onion soup.

[@davefreed8755]

Jim, been watching you for a long time. I used to be a Chef/Sous Chef for almost 20 years. You have a fantastic way of teaching and man you know what you are doing. Thanks for showing everyone how to cook and have fun at the same time. You are the man!

[@SipandFeast]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate it.

[@yoditfarus1399]

I am watching from Ethiopia I like cooking

[@theresatrudelle3972]

My favorite winter comfort food! I like to use 3 kinds of onions and 3 kinds of cheese. Sweet, red and yellow onions. Gruyere, swiss and mozzarella cheese. I sometimes add some worcestershire sauce and I have done red wine as well.

[@Casimir2811]

Sounds really yummy, but this is not really a French Onion Soup at this point 😂

[@chelsmeister]

@@Casimir2811Yes it is, unless you're a purist. It's an American version if you will :)

[@jodydorsett8726]

Long time ago I worked at a pizza place on South Street in Philly. Yet, they had two other products. Italian Roast beef and French Onion soup. We'd make 10 gallons every morning. Basically your recipe but just white wine and a dash of Balsamic vinegar. The ramekins were heated in the pizza oven for less than a minute.

[@MummaMia5]

I love the way you get your family to taste your cooking to see what they think. My mum and Nonna used to do that EVERY time they cooked a big meal, even though it was always the same recipe as the time before……but it was always absolutely delicious. They were amazing in the kitchen.

[@drummerlovesbookworm9738]

The world’s classiest soup.

[@FM-oo2fe]

You read my mind with this video. 2 days ago my daughter asked me to make her French Onion soup, which I have never made. Guess what, now I know how to make it. Thank you for the perfect timing with this video. I am going to make it Sunday morning and we'll eat it while watching the game.

[@docschweitz7606]

I am NEVER disappointed when I visit your channel. Just a GREAT source for easy, and Excellent tasting recipes. This one Looks extra great. Onion Soup! Who doesn't Love that. Thank you always for your efforts!

[@adamstrakna6270]

I love how with such a low-ingredient recipe like French onion soup, small adjustments can make a world of difference. I love making French Onion soup during the cold months, so I'm looking forward to cooking with this recipe soon

[@j.thedemonkat6572]

Agree about using the most flavorful stock available if you're trying to do this as a vegetarian. I use Better Than Boullion's vegetable base (I also add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce) and my Fred Flintstone carnivorous bf is perfectly happy with it. So glad I found your channel - shoutout to my south shore peeps!

[@sharyndj7404]

Excellent video! My mom always made her onion soup with half chicken both and half beef broth. Great flavor!

[@jrob4795]

Ah yes. It’s that time of the year again 🍂🍁🍃…almost 🥵

[@ConflictFrogs]

Soup season is here..sometime soon when it's not 90% humidity. 😂

[@jrob4795]

@@ConflictFrogs Right 🤣

[@robertlongfield5725]

My wife loves French onion soup. I made this for her and she said it was the best she has ever had! Thank you the recipe

[@Fearluzz]

What a coincidence, I literally just made onion soup, kind of sad I couldn't follow your recipe but I will next time for sure! Keep up the great work.

[@burghbrat3319]

This looks great and is pretty close to how I make mine. I use red wine (just 1/2 cup) because it's what I typically have on hand. You are SO right about making this (or any) soup (or stew, or chili) a day ahead -- it's twice as delicious after a night in the fridge. This soup freezes well, too. Make a double batch and freeze half, and there's dinner for another day!

[@krisluvskev]

I made this Friday and served it last night a a first course and OMG it was so, so, so good, my husband really liked it, i personally would have it as a meal on its on but i knew it wouldn't be enough for my husband so i served roast beef dinner as the main course, but definitely taking this for lunch tomorrow with a thick slice of sour dough bread

[@christiansinclairuk]

Love these videos. Too many food videos on youtube are quick cuts and people shouting into camera. These are always just nice and relaxed with no pretentiousness; just wholesome good food.

[@rally618]

She is so true. So many places serve their soup and have way too much salt or it is boring and tasteless. This looks amazing.

[@jeanniebrooks]

I’m so happy you finally came up with a reason to buy some tomato paste in a tube! You gotta have it for times like this when you only want a couple teaspoons. It’s a great pantry item.

[@adamyoung480]

Aloha. I always keep a tube of tomato paste as well as anchovy paste.

[@marilouo4321]

I've only made French Onion soup once by starting with beef bones to make a rich broth. Every restaurant soup can never come close to the flavor of that homemade soup. Mine did not have tomato poste but had a deep brown color. Yum.

[@edinburghrules]

Incredible timing, I was looking for a good French Onion soup, thanks!

[@TheGlamorousLifeofNae]

This looks amazing!!! I can only imagine that wonderful smell when you dropped in the garlic. Onion 🧅 & garlic 🧄 are a beautiful combination!

[@richardfabrizio8998]

Good recipe Jimmy. Those onions take time , it’s like making a roux. Good time of the year for more soup recipes. Thanks

[@nancyreyes3105]

You make intimidating recipes so accessible.. can't finally wait to make🎉

[@thooks1234]

Jim you are a master of art with the stove, dutch oven and wooden spoon with this dish! We watched this video about 2 weeks and ago I decided to make this last Saturday evening. I, for once, did pretty much everything (see, I can't even copy a recipe when I try) like you showed. I had a little less onions, so I cut the ingredients down some. I had 5 large sweet onions... After the 90 minute mark, my patience started wearing thin. By now, it was 7:30 PM, I had pretty much been on my feet, in the kitchen, back to the TV, watching and hoping to see Alabama and Georgia lose their football games. My onions were barely starting to yellow from white. They had reduced about 60%. I started cranking the heat (gas) to high for a minute, then back to low. Stir, stir, stir. High heat, then low. Stir, stir, stir. We finally got to the tomato paste stage, then flour, then white wine, then beef stock. I didn't have any brandy or other liquor, heck, if I had, I would have consumed it already from waiting. Those that know me know that if I cooked onions slowly for nearly 2 hours there was something wrong. Well, it turned out, very rich, very good. I got a long Cuban bread roll from Publix that day, sliced up about half of it, toasted and dried it out in the toaster oven during this 2 hour escapade. I then cut it up further into cubes, tossed in olive oil and a touch of garlic powder and returned to the oven for further toasting. I grated a bowl of Gruyere cheese and we sat down with a bowl of French Onion Soup about 8:15. It was delicious and I'd say worth it. Thank you again for a great idea, recipe and cooking method. You have really hit the nail on the head with many of these dishes.

[@kko52200]

This looks AMAZING! I wish there was smell-o-vision because my mouth is already watering!🤤❤

[@whoadog8725]

I recently had the French onion soup at Le Precope in Paris (they claim to be the oldest restaurant in the city - est 1686). I surprised to find that they do not serve it with bread, only about half a pound of melted Gruyère on top. It was pretty tasty!

[@jeanniebrooks]

Wowww!

[@Casimir2811]

Yeah, this is a very old traditional recipe, and as such, it has many, many small variations depending on the place where you eat it. This is really the kind of dish where every grandma has her own family recipe :)

[@n0love]

I had the french onion soup there in August and it was delicious once you got through all of the cheese. I keep watching different videos to figure out the closest recipe.

[@rideswithscissors]

A shout out to Farmingdale! My grandparents raised the family in Massapequa and later in life they ran the Farmingdale Motor Lodge on Broadhollow, they lived upstairs over the office. I was born in the Midwest, and grew up in a small town, but we vacationed on Long Island and we went to a real Italian restaurant, red white and green neon, lots of photos on the wall, I will never forget it. This was the early 60s. I wonder if anything like that still exists. Not here in Boise, I'll tell you that. We do have some good pizza though. My mom made some good French onion soup, probably ala Julia Child. Mouth watering.

[@shannj68]

This soup is absolutely amazing! I used two different kinds of onions (red and yellow) and didn't have vermouth so I used some white wine I had on hand and it was still AMAZING! My meat and potatoes boyfriend LOVED it! Thank you so much for the amazing recipes!

[@SteveTTTT]

Makes me think of cooler days to come here on Hilton Head!

[@juliecox6509]

Looks sooo delish!! I like to drop a parmesan/pecorino rind into the pot while it's cooking - flavour bomb!!

[@lucyw.7597]

One of my favourite soups! So rich & delicious..& there's something about melted cheese that turns anything into real comfort food!

[@dkortea]

Most of the chains have a central kitchen where they cook and then ship to the locations to ensure consistency.

[@madcatjo]

It's 1.30am here, and my mouth is watering.... 😻

[@The_Original_Big_Daddy]

outstanding! Loved your onion method. I always rush it, and I appreciate the detailed method.

[@Samurai78420]

This guy is so cool. I'm annoyed with the KZbin algorithm because I just discovered this channel a few days ago, lol.

[@finleykim]

You have the BEST recipes! I am making this very soon. I discovered your channel early last fall and each of your recipes that I tried became and instant family favourites.

[@moephillips7722]

Made this tonight- using chicken stock. It was delicious! Thank you so much for the step by step video. I totally enjoy your videos and that you are a family on social media. NICE!

[@Salmomlox]

Thank you for the tips and tricks on making this french onion soup. I like the idea of making it a day ahead of time. ☺☺

[@joeywho534]

Soup ALWAYS has to sit for a day.

[@Roundbrow]

Oh I am so into this. Will make and report back, thanks Jim!

[@btwater84]

I love this soup! I almost always do it slightly different though and do a two pot version. 1 Pot is the big soup pot and it starts with the Beef Broth/Stock and some stew meat. It goes down first for a while till the stew meat is almost ready to eat. Then I add the cooked onions and everything else. I find adding stew meat adds some body/protein to the soup and helps keep you full longer. I'm going to try your recipe, but I'm definitely adding meat to it! Thank you for posting this.

[@janjkey]

Great video. But the best part is the background music. Its not a Sip and Feast cooking video without that music! Keep up the great work. Oh I made Sunday Gravy last weekend and it was a hit. 8 hr cook

[@williammccabe5420]

they love each other so much !!!

[@fuegodelsol7740]

The bit about wanting chicken with the soup gave me an idea. Why not make videos where you make food that go well with your most popular dishes/videos from the past? Or meal plans? And the taste tester/s rate the combination or meal as a whole. I think it’d be a fun addition to the channel.

[@redfish212]

Love you guy’s, you are such a great chef. Always entertaining. Thanks for all the great tips.

[@katherinecornette5315]

Yumm! I agree that many times restaurant soups are too salty and they don’t develop the flavors. Great soup for cooler weather!

[@janetc5716]

Wonderful recipe, our soup turned out delicious 😋. Thank you

[@rondanuser1204]

LOVE your videos and French Onion soup! fell in love with it as a boy in the in-store dinner of Famous-n-Barr. Thanks!

[@SipandFeast]

Thank you so much, and so happy you're enjoying the videos!

[@susanandrews2436]

Just used vermouth. I love French onion soup, and this is the best I've ever had. Your instructions are terrific. Thanks so much!

[@dustinwalls1648]

Looks really good. I have been putting croutons on top of mine instead of the bread. Easy and adds a lot of flavor.

[@sunflowerbaby1853]

Me too when I don't have any French bread available.

[@jeanniebrooks]

You can make the croutons with French baguette (just dry out cubes of baguette, then toast in oven). It’s a lot easier to eat!!

[@dustinwalls1648]

good idea. I dont have any issues with the croutons after the soak up a little soup! @@jeanniebrooks

[@MyJournalJourneys-yd5uz]

Well done in making this! I loved her review of it too. Very important. Thank you.

[@marinamartynyuk4805]

Thanks for the recipe. I will make it today😊

[@katrinac469]

That looks delicious, thanks for the recipe, tis the season for soups, stews, comfort foods!!

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

It can't be overstated how useful that ten minutes of steaming is to get the onions broken down so they don't take forever to caramelize. I've always felt like a juicy steak is the best thing to have with this, the beef broth makes it a natural pairing.

[@christinemadrazo6755]

Thank you for sharing this. I look forward to enjoying it.

[@redhousepress]

Thanks so much for the perfect recipe to kick off soup season. I'll be making this soon.

[@kyleoconnor9203]

Just made this the other day, came out awesome! Your videos are great!

[@eddiewilson8119]

Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!

[@Dadzilla2]

Once again. Looking good.

[@chadbaier2557]

Hes good all ways and recipes all ways on point

[@chimp3376]

Really great method. Nice one.

[@JimmyjimmyJimmyjimmy-ih3yd]

Nice and clear instructions. We’ll done.

[@cayrab1]

I really love all your cooking!!!🤩

[@lutheriii6209]

Definitely gonna try this out, thank you!

[@leesagrrl]

I love cooking with dried Basil.

[@HerbRasta]

ohhh I've been waiting for this one... I've been waitin!

[@SipandFeast]

Hope you enjoy!

[@kenhill3230]

That looks amazing. I will try this on a weekend when I have free time.

[@squadiodatamj5998]

Needed this recipe and demo. Thanks to you and yours for all you bring here on SipandFeast. Also.....are we now talking "French Onion Chicken Thighs"? Ooo La La!

[@melodeev5487]

I've probably seen 50 videos on how to make french onion soup. Not one of them has ever used tomato paste. Interesting, but I think I'll skip it. Just something about having red soup vs. the traditional dark brown colour I guess. I also think french onion soup should taste beefy, not anything even resembling tomato. I'm going to try your recipe this weekend. Thank you!

[@faithsrvtrip8768]

There was this little place near Neureut Kaserne in Karlsruhe, Germany (1983-4), that made the best french onion soup! I got sick and I rode my Peugot bicycle over there for the soup, to feel better. Karlsruhe wasn't that far from the French border so it makes sense that they would cook the soup just like in France. This is the perfect fall soup! Hey do butternut squash soup or butternut squash lasagna next! Thanks!

[@karenmikasko7148]

Butternut soup is one of my favorites....I get it off the grocery shelf.

[@ChiliPepperMadness]

This french onion soup looks amazing!

[@philipwood8776]

it was so good...love u guys

[@katherinep708]

Can’t wait to try this!

[@grkuntzmd]

Great soup for a really cold day!

[@elenistamatakis9246]

Hi ,my dear I love ur French onion soup Thank you

[@colinwest9000]

This looks so good.

[@glennkammerer795]

That Better Than Bouillon is gold. I assume it was used in the big measuring cup of beef stock? This looks great. Still a bit warm here, but we'll be making this in the fall for sure!

[@kevinstewart8696]

Your Soup looks amazing! I like that you mentioned that it's better to let it sit in the Fridge overnight. There is another dish I find only tastes good if you let it sit in the refrigerator over night, Key Lime Pie.

[@rokonsha]

Love this channel ❤😂

[@marcelahernandez2284]

Just made this!

[@ineedajag]

That looks delish. I agree it’s always so salty.

[@mikebrowne477]

Love making homemade French Onion Soup. I've got it down pretty good but I'm always up for new techniques and your other recipes I've made came out amazing so I'm looking forward to adding a couple of new tricks to my method. I will say I have toasted the baguette slices with some cheese on top first before adding to the soup and that tends to work very well. I also reserve a little bit of onion and add it half-way through the caramelization process more for the presentation than anything.

[@mayalemwelideyohannes2792]

Thanks so amazing video

[@KSGomez88]

Hooray for soup season!! French onion is my favorite soup, it's one that I crave year round! I know it's not Italian, but can you do your version of a black bean soup?

[@SipandFeast]

I love black bean soup and it's something we're thinking about adding.

[@jstones9872]

if you put in a 1/4 cup of water along with the onions uncovered . you can speed up the carmalization by almost half the time. I know it sounds counterintuitive but ATK did a whole thing on it and it works.

[@normagaloski214]

Looks delicious

[@carolyndaughton3373]

Gosh....your channel is so delightful! I don't eat meat, so I'm thinking I'll try this with veggie stock. One of my favorite parts of your videos is the end taste test. Your family really does seem to give you honest reviews but I'm always on the edge of my seat waiting to see your score :) haha Thanks for another great recipe.

[@emaildavidlehman]

I’ve been waiting for this recipe. Can’t wait for fall! (I’m in Florida 🥵)

[@ariavega520]

That looks so good! ❤

[@FilmFactry]

Adding chicken sounds like a winner!

[@oconnellbob]

You Rock!! Great video.

[@nolongeramused8135]

I've found that a good red wine, and a lot of it, makes it fairly awesome.

[@searat9814]

I tried out this recipe with only the 1/2 cup of Vermouth. And wow this recipe is awesome. Definitely going to make this again for my roommates and I. Awesome video! Im going to try out some of your other soup recipes 😋

[@leaningforward5294]

Looks amazing, look forward to making this. I'd add more cheese though.

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

You two are soooo cute! Thanks for the soup!!

[@bobbyj3701]

Yum! I give him an 11 for doing it right! Great vid! tfs :)~

[@tokatulu]

Ooh, French onion chicken? That sounds amazing!

[@cindym7234]

You've got some tough critics there. I think they are just used to a gourmet chef cooking for them. At my house, that soup would be a 20 out of 10! It looks delicious. I don't keep any alcohol on hand at my house, just wine for cooking, so that's what I'll use in my soup. I can't wait to try this recipe! Love from Texas ❤