Description
A cozy, hands-off French onion soup made in a slow cooker with deeply caramelized onions and a melty cheese topping. Perfect for chilly days and simple to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup (120ml) dry white wine (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8–10 slices baguette
- 2 cups (200g) shredded Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- If your slow cooker has a sauté function, melt the butter in it and add the sliced onions. Stir often to prevent burning and cook until they turn a deep golden brown and smell sweet—about 30-40 minutes. If no sauté option, caramelize the onions in a large skillet on medium-low heat, then transfer to the crockpot.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the white wine, scraping the bottom to lift browned bits. Let it cook down for a couple of minutes.
- Add the beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme to the crockpot. Stir everything together and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cover with the lid.
- Set the crockpot to low and cook for 4 to 6 hours, aiming for about 5 hours for perfect flavor.
- About 15 minutes before serving, ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each with toasted baguette slices and a generous handful of shredded Gruyère cheese. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns golden brown. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Notes
If your crockpot lacks a sauté function, caramelize onions on the stove then transfer to the slow cooker. For vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable or mushroom broth. Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free option. Broil cheese topping just before serving for best results. Leftover soup tastes better the next day. Avoid opening the lid frequently during cooking to maintain heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: French onion soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker soup, caramelized onions, comfort food, easy soup recipe