Slow-Caramelized Onion Soup with Thyme
Deeply sweet onions simmered for hours until golden-brown, layered with a herb-infused broth and toasted baguette slices for a classic French comfort dish. This french-inspired soups ready in about 85 minutes pairs pounds, thinly sliced yellow onions, tablespoons unsalted butter, chicken stock 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
- 2 pounds, thinly sliced yellow onions
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 slice, 1/2 inch thick baguette
- 1/4 cup, grated gruyere cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, add 2 pounds thinly sliced yellow onions, and cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until deeply golden brown and caramelized.
- Step 2: Pour in 4 cups chicken stock and add 2 sprigs fresh thyme, then simmer gently for 20 minutes to meld flavors while reducing slightly.
- Step 3: Remove thyme sprigs and blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender, or carefully transfer to a regular blender in batches.
- Step 4: Preheat oven broiler to high. Place 1 slice baguette on a baking sheet and top with 1/4 cup grated gruyere cheese.
- Step 5: Broil 4 inches from heat for 2-3 minutes until cheese bubbles and turns golden, then place on top of soup bowls.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Caramelized Onion Soup with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (20 min prep + 65 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 Slow-Caramelized Onion Soup with 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 tablespoons unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Caramelized Onion Soup with 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 Slow-Caramelized Onion Soup with Thyme 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 Slow-Caramelized Onion Soup with 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.
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