Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crockpot French Onion Soup is a warm, savory, and incredibly comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly evenings. The caramelized onions combined with rich beef broth create a deep, flavorful base that’s both satisfying and delicious. Topped with crispy toasted French bread and melted Gruyère cheese, this soup is a true crowd-pleaser. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—let the slow cooker do the hard work while you enjoy a classic, cheesy, and indulgent soup with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- French bread, sliced and toasted
- 2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Caramelize the onions: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized. Sprinkle the sugar over the onions during the cooking process to help with caramelization.
- Transfer to the Crockpot: Once the onions are caramelized, transfer them to the Crockpot. Add the beef broth, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook the soup: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the soup to become rich and flavorful.
- Prepare the bread: While the soup is cooking, toast slices of French bread until golden brown and crispy. Set aside.
- Assemble the soup: Once the soup is done, ladle it into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted French bread and sprinkle generously with shredded Gruyère cheese.
- Melt the cheese: Place the bowls under the broiler in your oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, forming a golden crust.
- Serve: Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and serve hot.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Cooking Time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Additional Time for Broiling: 3-5 minutes
Variations
- Add Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary or bay leaves can be added for extra flavor. Just remember to remove them before serving.
- Wine Addition: For an extra layer of flavor, deglaze the skillet with a bit of white or red wine before adding the onions to the Crockpot.
- Cheese Options: If you don’t have Gruyère, you can substitute it with Swiss cheese or mozzarella for a different take on the classic.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free French onion soup.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store the toasted bread and soup separately to maintain the crispness of the bread.
- Freezing: This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. For best results, freeze the soup without the bread and cheese topping, and add those when reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, adding extra broth if necessary. Re-toast the bread and add fresh cheese before broiling.
FAQs
How long can I keep leftovers of Crockpot French Onion Soup?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Can I use vegetable broth instead of beef broth?
Yes, vegetable broth can be used as a substitute for a lighter, vegetarian version of the soup.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup can be made ahead of time. It stores well in the fridge and only gets better as the flavors develop. Reheat it before serving, and top with fresh toast and cheese.
Can I use a different cheese for the topping?
Yes, you can use Swiss cheese, mozzarella, or even cheddar if Gruyère is unavailable. Each cheese will bring a slightly different flavor to the soup.
How can I make the soup richer?
To make the soup richer, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or a little extra butter to the broth before serving.
Can I add more vegetables to the soup?
Yes, you can add additional vegetables like carrots or celery for extra flavor and nutrition, but the traditional French onion soup is mainly focused on the caramelized onions.
Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can make this recipe in an Instant Pot by using the “Sauté” function to caramelize the onions and then adding the remaining ingredients. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes and quick release.
How do I make the bread crispy without broiling?
If you don’t have a broiler, you can toast the bread in the oven or in a toaster, then add the cheese and place it back in the oven to melt.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can make this soup vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of beef broth and omitting the meat.
Conclusion
Crockpot French Onion Soup is the epitome of comfort food. With its rich, savory broth and decadent layers of caramelized onions, it’s the perfect meal to enjoy on a cold day. The crispy French bread and melted Gruyère cheese topping bring the soup to a whole new level of indulgence. With the ease of the slow cooker, this soup is as simple to make as it is satisfying. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy dinner or a special occasion, this classic French onion soup will always be a crowd-pleaser.
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Crockpot French Onion Soup
- Total Time: 6.5 to 7.5 hours
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crockpot French Onion Soup is a savory and comforting dish with rich caramelized onions, hearty beef broth, and melted Gruyère cheese. This slow-cooked classic offers all the indulgence of traditional French onion soup with minimal effort. Topped with crispy toasted French bread and gooey cheese, it’s the perfect meal for chilly evenings and a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
4 large onions, thinly sliced
6 cups beef broth
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
French bread, sliced and toasted
2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
Instructions
-
Caramelize the onions: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until golden and caramelized. Sprinkle sugar over the onions during cooking.
-
Transfer to the Crockpot: Move caramelized onions to the Crockpot and add beef broth, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
-
Cook the soup: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
-
Prepare the bread: Toast slices of French bread until golden and crispy.
-
Assemble the soup: Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top with toasted bread and shredded Gruyère cheese.
-
Melt the cheese: Place bowls under a broiler for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Serve: Carefully remove from the oven and serve hot.
Notes
Add fresh herbs like rosemary or bay leaves for extra flavor.
Deglaze the skillet with wine for deeper flavor before transferring to the Crockpot.
Substitute Gruyère with Swiss cheese or mozzarella if preferred.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Category: Soup, Comfort Food, Crockpot Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French, Comfort Food
