Baked French Onion Soup with Gruyère and Thyme
A classic French onion soup with caramelized onions and a golden, bubbling layer of Gruyère cheese, finished with a hint of fresh thyme. This french-inspired soups ready in about 60 minutes pairs medium, thinly sliced onion, butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 medium, thinly sliced onion
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 cup, grated Gruyère cheese
- 1 slice, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices baguette
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 2: In a large pot over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter; add 2 cups thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, then add 4 cups beef broth, 1/2 cup dry white wine, and 1 tsp dried thyme; bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Pour the soup into 4 oven-safe bowls, then place 1 slice of baguette in each bowl.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Gruyère cheese over each bowl, then place the bowls on a baking sheet and bake until the cheese is melted and golden, about 10-12 minutes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked French Onion Soup with Gruyère and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked French Onion Soup with Gruyère and Thyme?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, thinly sliced onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked French Onion Soup with Gruyère and Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked French Onion Soup with Gruyère and Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked French Onion Soup with Gruyère and Thyme?
French soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many soups recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
