🧅 Caramelized Onion Soup: Homemade Recipe & Golden Croutons – Neary
Published on • By Lou
Quick answer: For an irresistible caramelized onion soup with homemade croutons , gently brown the onions in butter 🧈 and olive oil, letting them caramelize slowly to develop their full sweetness. Add a good amount of broth, let it simmer 🥣, and finish by topping it with cheese and oven-baked croutons. The result: a comforting, fragrant soup that's both rustic and elegant, perfect for long winter evenings or for impressing your friends!
🧺 Ingredients
- 🧅 6 large yellow onions
- 🧈 40 g unsalted butter
- 🫒 2 olive oils
- 🥣 1 homemade stock cube (or chicken/vegetable)
- 🌿 1 laurel
- 🍞 4 stale country loaves
- 🧀 80g grated cheese (Emmental, Comté…)
- 🧂 1 pinch of salt, pepper
- 🌶️ 1 pinch of nutmeg (optional)
💡 For authentic onion soup, choose sweet onions and rustic country bread for the croutons. Discover our homemade soup garden kit to save time!
👩🍳 Preparation – step by step
Peel and slice the onions into thin half-moons. It might make you cry, but it's the foundation of a delicious soup! Quick tip 🥲: slice them near running water or chill them for a few minutes beforehand.
Melt the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook over low/medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown, soft, and well caramelized. The longer they cook, the more flavorful the soup will be 😍.
Add the hot stock, bay leaf, and nutmeg. Stir, then simmer gently for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Cut the bread into thick slices or cubes. Toast them in the oven or in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil. They need to be nice and crispy to withstand the soup! 😋
Divide the soup among bowls or small casseroles. Add a generous handful of croutons and top with grated cheese. Place under the oven broiler for a few minutes to brown the cheese... remove the bowls as soon as the cheese is nicely golden and serve! 🥄
🌱 Tips for an unforgettable caramelized onion soup
- 🧅 Sweet onions : choose sweet or pink onions for a sweeter and more digestible soup.
- 🔥 Patience pays off: the slower you caramelize, the more intense the color and taste will be.
- 🥗 For a vegan version, replace the butter with olive oil and the cheese with a plant-based alternative.
- 🥣 Add a splash of dry white wine or a dash of balsamic vinegar at the end of caramelization for a subtle tangy note.
- 🍞 Homemade croutons make all the difference: choose stale bread, rub with a clove of garlic for even more flavor.
- 🧀 Vary the cheeses: Emmental, Comté, Cantal or even mozzarella for an irresistible stretchy effect.
- 🌍 Discover all our tips for making perfect soups on our blog !
❓ FAQ – Caramelized Onion Soup and Homemade Croutons
🧅 What type of onions should I choose for soup?
Yellow onions are classic, but sweet or pink onions offer a sweeter, more subtle flavor. Red onions can also be used for a unique touch.
🔥 How to successfully caramelize onions?
It takes time and gentle cooking, stirring often. Add a pinch of salt at the beginning to help the onions release their water, then let them brown slowly until they are well browned and caramelized.
🍞 Is it absolutely necessary to bake it in the oven until golden brown?
Traditional onion soup is enjoyed au gratin, but you can also serve the croutons and cheese separately if you prefer, or for a lighter version.
🥗 Can the soup be prepared in advance?
Yes, onion soup keeps very well in the fridge; it will even be better the next day! Reheat gently and add the croutons just before serving to keep them crispy.
🌱 How to vary the recipe?
Add thyme, replace some of the onions with shallots, or flavor with a little port at the end of cooking for a more complex flavor.
🥣 What is the origin of onion soup?
Onion soup is a classic of French cuisine, originating in Parisian inns. It warmed the market workers at Les Halles from dawn. Discover a traditional version on Com3Pom .
Discover the homemade soup kit from the French vegetable garden or use our quantity converter to measure your ingredients.
To boost the flavor of your soup, check out our seasoning tips !
Classic variant on Com3Pom
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