Caramelized Onion and Red Wine French Soup Gratinée
A deeply flavorful French onion soup enriched with red wine and a blend of broths, topped with toasted bread and melted Gruyère cheese. This french-inspired french ready in about 105 minutes pairs unsalted butter, large, thinly sliced yellow onions, granulated sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 large, thinly sliced yellow onions
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup dry red wine
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 sprigs fresh parsley sprigs
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 1, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds baguette
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large Dutch oven, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 6 large thinly sliced yellow onions and sprinkle 1 tsp granulated sugar over them. Cook, stirring frequently, for 40 minutes until onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown.
- Step 2: Pour in 3/4 cup dry red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze, and cook for 5 minutes until the wine reduces slightly.
- Step 3: Tie 2 sprigs fresh parsley, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf together with kitchen twine and add to the pot along with 4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups beef broth, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 30 minutes to blend flavors. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Step 4: While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 375°F. Arrange sliced baguette rounds on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Step 5: Remove herb bundle from the soup. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, place 2-3 toasted baguette slices on top of each, and generously sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese per bowl.
- Step 6: Place bowls on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and browned, watching carefully to avoid burning. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caramelized Onion and Red Wine French Soup Gratinée take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (20 min prep + 85 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 Caramelized Onion and Red Wine French Soup Gratinée?
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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caramelized Onion and Red Wine French Soup Gratinée?
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 Caramelized Onion and Red Wine French Soup Gratinée for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Caramelized Onion and Red Wine French Soup Gratinée?
French french 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely loved the flavors. The onions were perfectly caramelized, and the gratinée was the perfect finish. Will make again!
- ★★★★★
So easy to make and tasted like a restaurant dish. The red wine reduction was spot on.
- ★★★★★
My family devoured this. The gratinée topping was golden and delicious. A new favorite for cold nights.
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