An Alluring Combination: French Onion & Shallot Soup Recipe
/French Onion & Shallot Soup is a classic French dish that has been delighting people for centuries. This hearty, flavorful soup is perfect for a cold winter day and is sure to warm you up while still delighting your taste buds. This soup is easy to make and is filled with ingredients that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a novice in the kitchen or a professional chef, French Onion & Shallot Soup is a great dish to make for your next dinner. In this blog post, I will walk you through the steps for making this delicious soup.
Best French Onion and Shallot Soup
The combination of the two creates a delicious flavor and texture. The sweetness of the caramelized onions and shallots pairs perfectly with the beef broth and creates a rich, flavorful soup. Caramelizing the onions and shallots is key to getting the most out of this simple dish.
The process of caramelizing the onions and shallots for this soup is straightforward and easy. To start, heat up a large skillet over medium heat and add a few tablespoons of butter. Once the butter melts, add the onions and shallots and cook until they are lightly browned. This will take close to an hour. Once the onions and shallots are caramelized, add the beef broth and bring to a boil. To make the soup even more flavorful, add wine, a pinch of thyme or a bay leaf. Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the soup should be thick and flavorful. To top the soup off, pour into individual bowls and add a crunchy baguette and cheese. This adds a nice contrast and texture to the soup. You will pop in the oven until cheese is melted and browning on top.
French Onion and Shallot Soup is a classic French dish that is easy to make and bursting with flavor. Topping the soup off with crunchy croutons or cheese croutons adds texture and a nice contrast. French Onion and Shallot Soup is a great way to use up leftover onions and shallots and is a comforting meal for any time of year. With its rich and hearty flavor profile, it's no wonder why it's a popular choice whenever you're looking for something comforting and delicious. Beef stock, garlic, and herbs give the soup an added depth of flavor that takes it to the next level.
The best French onion and shallot soup is made with freshly caramelized onions and shallots. This caramelization process takes time but is well worth the effort as it brings out the sweet flavor of the onions and shallots. Adding a dash of brandy or cognac is a great way to enhance the flavor, or you can also add wine or sherry to the soup for a rich, complex flavor. Topping the soup with a generous sprinkling of grated cheese enhances the flavor and gives the soup a cheesy crust. My favorite way to top off this meal is with a glass of Decoy Chardonnay. The Gruyère cheese topping with the french onion & shallot soup pairs very well with Chardonnay, and makes this a delicious combo.
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 shallots, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon salt
2 sprigs of fresh thyme, additional for topping
2 bay leaves
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup white wine
6 cups chicken or beef broth
salt & black pepper to taste
6-12 sourdough baguette slices
8 oz shredded gruyère cheese
Instructions
1. First you will add butter to hot pan. Letting melt before starting to add in Shallots. I like to brown mine a little bit to add additional flavor. Once butter is ready add in shallots and coat with butter. Let sauté in pan for 5 minutes & add onions. Stirring frequently (every 5 minutes) over medium-high heat for an hour until onions and shallots are fully caramelized and cooked down. Make sure as you are stirring you scrape up any brown bits that might start to form each time. If they are too hard to rise off the pan, you can pour in some of the wine that we use later now to help.
2. Add in salt, thyme, bay leaves and garlic. Stir together to incorporate. Slowly pour in white wine and chicken or beef broth. Let come to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
3. While soup is simmering preheat oven to broil and lightly butter baguette let toast while oven is preheating. Grate cheese for next step.
4. Now that soup is ready pour equally into oven safe bowls. Top each bowl with sourdough baguette slices. This could be 1-2 per bowl depending on the size of bowl and baguette. Top that with your gruyere cheese and place of a baking sheet.
5. Put soup bowls on baking sheet in the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to become a deep golden on tops.
6. Remove from oven, top with additional fresh thyme salt and black pepper. Serve and Enjoy!
French onion and shallot soup is best served with a side of crusty French bread or delicious Cesar salad. The combination of the savory soup and the crunchy bread makes for the perfect incredible bite. You'll be sure to enjoy every last spoonful of this classic soup.
Notes
French Onion & Shallot Soup is a classic French comfort food dish that is sure to please anyone who enjoys the sweet and savory flavor of caramelized onions. The soup’s flavor comes primarily from the combination of caramelized onions and shallots, along with a variety of herbs and spices. However, if you’re not a fan of shallots, they can be substituted by removing them and adding two additional onions to the soup. You can also add in mushrooms for an even richer flavor.
For other ways to substitute, I recommend using beef or chicken stock but if you’re looking for a vegetarian option, you can use vegetable stock instead. The soup is usually served topped with a baguette and melted gruyere cheese, but croutons topping instead of a baguette make for an added crunch, which I occasionally prefer. For a healthier version, use low-sodium broth and skip the cheese and croutons. For an added touch of protein, you can top with crispy bacon and additional herbs. French Onion & Shallot Soup is a delicious meal that can be adapted to meet a variety of dietary needs. Whether you’re looking for a comforting meal or a first course, this dish will be sure to please.
Other Soups You’ll Love!
For those looking for a creamier option, there is also the classic Italian Sausage, Potato & Kale Soup. This dish combines sausage, potatoes, kale, blended of herbs and is finished off with a hint of cream for a truly decadent experience. Or, for those looking for something a bit more substantial, there is always Mom's Favorite Minestrone Soup Recipe, a protein-packed dish that is sure to fill you up on even the coldest of days. Needing something with a little kick? Bring the Heat with this Deliciously Spicy Tortellini Soup. Finally, there is the classic Deliciously Creamy Basil Tomato Soup, which combines tomatoes and basil with a hint of cream for an unforgettable flavor. Whether you’re looking for a comforting soup or something a bit more substantial one of these recipes is sure to hit the spot.
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