Slow-Simmered Beef and Herb Broth French Onion Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · 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 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

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.

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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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