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Soup

French onion soup

Robbie Puddick (RNutr)
Written by

Robbie Puddick (RNutr)

Content and SEO Lead

Dr Rachel Hall
Reviewed by

Dr Rachel Hall (MBCHB)

Principal Doctor

3 min read
Last updated September 2026
title

Prep and cooking time: 90 to 110 mins

  • Freezable
  • Vegetarian
  • Nausea-friendly

Ingredients

Serves: 4

  • 60g 60g butter
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 5 large Spanish onions or ‘sweet yellow onions’, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 ½ tbsp 1 ½ tbsp plain flour
  • 800ml 800ml liquid beef, chicken, vegetable stock, or consomme
  • 2 2 sprigs fresh thyme, destemmed
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
  • 150ml 150ml dry white wine
  • 2 2 bay leaves
  • 8 8 slices wholemeal or sourdough baguette, sliced
  • 1 1 garlic clove, peeled
  • 140g 140g Gruyere or Emmental cheese, grated
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Method

Step 1

Heat the butter and oil in a large non-stick saucepan, over low/medium heat.

Step 2

Fry the onions for 45-60mins, or until a deep golden brown colour. Continue stirring every 5-10mins.

Step 3

Once the onions are softened and golden, make a roux by adding the flour and cook for 1-2mins.

Step 4

Add the wine and cook for a further 2-3mins.

Step 5

Add the stock, thyme, balsamic glaze, bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper.

Step 6

Cook the soup for 25mins on a medium heat.

Step 7

5mins before the soup is finished, grill the baguette slices until crispy and golden.

Step 8

Rub the toasted bread slices with the raw garlic.

Step 9

Serve the soup into small oven proof bowls, place the bread slices on top of the soup, cover generously with cheese and pop under the grill again for 30-60secs, or until melted.

Step 10

Enjoy as a starter or add some additional vegetables to make a balanced meal.

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