Caramelized Onion Soup
A rich, savory caramelized onion soup enhanced with Madeira, finished with cream and blue cheese for a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for special occasions or cozy evenings.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter ⓘ
- 3/4 pound white onions, coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 1 pound red onions, coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 1 pound leeks (white and pale green parts only), coarsely chopped
- 3 large shallots, coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 4 garlic cloves ⓘ
- 1 large bay leaf ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage ⓘ
- pinch dried thyme
- 2 cups Madeira ⓘ
- 8 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt broth
- 1 cup whipping cream ⓘ
- crumbled Stilton cheese or other Blue cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt butter in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add all onions, leeks, shallots, garlic, bay leaf, sage, and thyme.
- Cook until onions turn deep golden brown, stirring frequently, about 45 minutes.
- Add Madeira and bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits.
- Boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
- Add chicken stock and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until mixture is reduced to 8 cups, about 2 hours.
Tips & Substitutions
For deeper flavor, consider using a mix of yellow and red onions. If you don't have Madeira, dry sherry or a splash of white wine can be a suitable substitute. Be patient while caramelizing the onions; this step is crucial for achieving that rich, sweet taste. If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with crumbled Stilton cheese for a creamy finish. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a fresh salad. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Country French Chicken Breasts or a simple green salad. This soup also makes a lovely starter for a cozy dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens too much, add a little water or extra broth to reach your desired consistency. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Caramelized Onion Soup contains roughly 772 calories, with 21g protein, 98g carbohydrates, and 39g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (126% of the Daily Value), iron (106% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (77% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 662mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup can be made a day in advance. In fact, the flavors often improve after sitting overnight. Just reheat gently before serving, and consider adding a splash of cream to freshen it up.
How can I adjust the thickness of the soup?
If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the liquid further during the simmering stage. Alternatively, for a thinner consistency, simply add more stock or water until you reach your desired thickness.
Is there a way to make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, just replace the chicken stock with vegetable broth. This will maintain the soup's depth of flavor while catering to vegetarian diets.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).