French Onion Soup recipe served on a plate, by la Madeleine
Jun 09 2026
Restaurants›la Madeleine›French Onion Soup Recipe

French Onion Soup Recipe

Inspired by la Madeleine
Time1h 30m
Serves6

A classic French onion soup topped with melted cheese.

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Ingredients

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Soup Base

Toppings

Method

Preparing the Soup

  1. 1

    Prepare Onions

    Slice the yellow onions thinly. Aim for even slices to ensure uniform cooking.

  2. 2

    Melt Butter and Oil

    In a large pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until melted.

  3. 3

    Caramelize Onions

    Add the sliced onions to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 25-30 minutes until they are caramelized and golden brown.

  4. 4

    Add Garlic

    Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

  5. 5

    Deglaze with Wine

    Pour in the dry white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until reduced by half.

  6. 6

    Combine Ingredients

    Add the beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer.

  7. 7

    Simmer Soup

    Let the soup simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Preparing the Toppings

  1. 8

    Preheat Oven

    While the soup is simmering, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. 9

    Prepare Baguette

    Slice the French baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Place them on a baking sheet.

  3. 10

    Toast Baguette

    Toast the baguette slices in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes until golden and crispy.

Serving the Soup

  1. 11

    Remove Bay Leaf

    Remove the bay leaf from the soup before serving.

  2. 12

    Ladle Soup

    Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted baguette.

  3. 13

    Add Cheese

    Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère and grated Parmesan cheese generously over the top of the bread.

  4. 14

    Broil Soup

    Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

  5. 15

    Serve Soup

    Serve immediately, garnished with additional thyme if desired.

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