Description
This Crockpot French Onion Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring caramelized onions simmered in a rich beef broth with herbs, topped with toasted French bread and a blend of melted Gruyere, Emmental, and Parmesan cheeses. Slow cooking allows the flavors to deepen, making it an ideal meal for cozy gatherings or a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 3 large white onions, sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 64 ounces reduced sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup dry sherry
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Topping Ingredients
- 8 slices French bread, stale or dry preferred
- ¾ cup shredded Gruyere cheese
- ½ cup shredded Emmental cheese
- 6 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large non-stick pan, melt butter over medium-low heat and add sliced onions. Cook slowly for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions become golden and caramelized.
- Prepare the Soup Base: Transfer the caramelized onions to the slow cooker. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, dry sherry, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on low heat for 6 to 8 hours to allow the flavors to develop fully.
- Prepare the Bread and Cheese Toppings: When the soup is ready, remove and discard the bay leaf. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with slices of dry French bread, then generously sprinkle with Gruyere, Emmental, and Parmesan cheeses.
- Broil to Melt Cheese: Place the bowls under a broiler for 2 to 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and browned. Be careful not to burn the cheese.
- Serve: Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and serve the soup hot for a savory, cheesy, and satisfying meal.
Notes
- This Crockpot French Onion Soup is a rich and hearty dish perfect for chilly days or when you want a comforting meal.
- Using stale or dry French bread slices is best as they hold up better when topped with soup and melted cheese.
- Slow cooking on low allows the onions and broth to develop a deep, savory flavor.
- Feel free to substitute fresh thyme with dried thyme if fresh herbs are unavailable.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth and omit Worcestershire sauce or use a vegetarian alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg
