Description
Crockpot French Onion Soup is a comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and melted Gruyère cheese. Slow-cooked to perfection, it offers deep, bold flavors with minimal effort and cleanup, making it the perfect cozy meal for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 4–5 large yellow onions, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
Liquids & Fats
- 4 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional but recommended)
- 3 tablespoons butter
Breads & Cheese
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Slice the yellow onions generously. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat and sauté the onions for 30-40 minutes until they turn golden brown and caramelized, bringing out their natural sweetness and deep flavor.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Add the minced garlic, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaves to the caramelized onions. Stir and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, allowing herbs and garlic to meld with the onions.
- Transfer to Crockpot and Add Liquids: Move the onion mixture to the crockpot. Pour in beef broth and a splash of dry white wine. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well, then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours to develop rich, harmonious flavors.
- Prepare the Bread and Cheese: Towards the end of cooking, slice the baguette and toast until golden brown. Top each slice with shredded Gruyère cheese, then place under a broiler until the cheese bubbles and forms a golden crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and gently float a toasted cheese-covered baguette slice on top. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired, and enjoy the comforting combination of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Patience is key: Take your time caramelizing onions for maximum flavor before slow cooking.
- Use a quality, low-sodium beef broth to control seasoning and ensure depth of flavor.
- Gruyère cheese provides the best melt and nutty taste, but feel free to experiment with Swiss, mozzarella, or provolone.
- Use a 4 to 6-quart crockpot for optimal cooking results.
- If omitting wine, add a splash of vinegar or increase broth slightly for acidity.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Slow Cooking and Broiling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with 1 slice of cheese-topped baguette
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: French Onion Soup, Crockpot soup, slow cooker soup, caramelized onions, comfort food, easy soup recipe