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Panera French Onion Soup

A rich, savory soup with caramelized onions and melted Gruyère cheese, perfect for chilly evenings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Course: Soup
Cuisine: French
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 4 large yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon thyme dried or fresh
  • 1 baguette sliced into rounds
  • 2 cups Gruyère cheese shredded

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Oven-safe bowls or crocks
  • Broiler

Method
 

  1. In a large pot, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add the sliced onions and sugar, stirring frequently until they become golden brown, about 25 minutes.
  3. Once the onions are caramelized, stir in the salt, black pepper, and thyme.
  4. Deglaze the pot by adding the dry white wine, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom.
  5. Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  6. Allow it to cook for an additional 15 minutes.
  7. While the soup simmers, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them until golden, about 10 minutes.
  9. Divide the soup among oven-safe bowls, placing a toasted baguette slice on top of each.
  10. Generously sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese over the bread in each bowl.
  11. Place the bowls under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching closely until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Notes

For the best caramelization, be patient and stir the onions frequently.