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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
