Slow-Simmered Beef and Herb Broth French Onion Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich beef and chicken broth base simmered with fresh herbs and caramelized onions topped with crusty bread and melted cheese. This french-inspired french ready in about 100 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 340 calories and feeds 5, 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.

★ 3.9 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 85 min Serves 5 French cuisine 340 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add 5 large thinly sliced yellow onions and 1 tsp granulated sugar. Cook slowly, stirring every 5 minutes, for 35-40 minutes until onions are soft, golden, and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Add 1/2 cup dry red wine and cook for 4 minutes, stirring to scrape up browned bits from the bottom.
  3. Step 3: Tie 3 sprigs fresh parsley, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf with kitchen twine. Add the herb bundle, 5 cups beef broth, 3 cups chicken broth, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 40 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange French bread slices on a baking sheet and toast for 8-10 minutes until crisp.
  5. Step 5: Remove herb bundle from soup. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top each with 2-3 bread slices, and cover with 1/3 cup shredded comté cheese.
  6. Step 6: Place bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 4-6 minutes until cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly. Serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Beef and Herb Broth French Onion Soup take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (15 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 Slow-Simmered Beef and Herb Broth French Onion Soup?

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 Slow-Simmered Beef and Herb Broth French Onion Soup?

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-Simmered Beef and Herb Broth French Onion Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 5 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 5). 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-Simmered Beef and Herb Broth French Onion Soup?

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.

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