Our French onion soup recipe only take 20 minutes prep time - although the soup will need to cook for just over an hour so the onions are well caramelised and completely soft but you will be rewarded with a deliciously flavoursome soup and that irresistible cheesy toast topping!
If you want to cook and freeze the soup ahead of time, prepare to end of step 3. Cool completely, then pour into a freezer proof bag or container. It will keep for up to two months.
Gently heat oil in a large pan and add onions, thyme and a large pinch of salt. Cover and cook on low heat for 30min, stirring occasionally, until onions are completely soft.
Step 2
Pour over the wine and add the sugar. Turn up heat and bubble, stirring frequently, until the wine has evaporated and the onions are well caramelised and completely soft, about 30-35min.
Step 3
Add stock; heat through. Check the seasoning.
Step 4
Preheat grill to medium. Put the baguette slices on a baking tray and lightly toast on both sides under the grill. Divide the soup among six bowls, top with two baguette slices and sprinkle each with grated cheese. Grill until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 2min, and serve immediately.
Freeze ahead
Prepare to end of step 3. Cool completely, then pour into a freezer proof bag or container and freeze for up to two months. To serve, defrost completely, then complete recipe to serve.
The GH Kitchen Team are Good Housekeeping’s resident recipe developers and all-round food obsessives. GH Kitchen Director Sarah Akhurst is our resident hosting pro and loves nothing more than putting on a foodie feast for friends. Our GH Kitchen Manager Linzi Pucino is our very own Italian food expert (originally hailing from the North East of Scotland!) and can be found working her way through midweek recipes that cover all bases, from haggis to ragu! Our Kitchen Editor Nadine Brown loves digging into the stories behind her favourite foods and enjoys applying her eclectic tastes to more modern, flavour-forward recipes - just don't give her too much chilli! Our Junior Food Content Produce Frankie Prichard combines a love of beautiful presentation and flavour-led, seasonal cooking in her recipe development, along with a passion for bringing people together through food. With a wealth of professional kitchen experience between them, they’re dedicated to ensuring every Good Housekeeping recipe is the best it can be, so you can trust they’ll work every single time