Steamy Onion Soup

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves: 6 Cuisine: French

A comforting, savory onion soup topped with toasted French bread and melted Swiss cheese, perfect for chilly evenings and satisfying hearty appetites.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 6 large yellow onions, sliced
  • 9 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 6 cans beef broth
  • pepper to taste
  • 6 slices French bread
  • 1/2 lb. Swiss cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Saute sliced onions in 6 tablespoons melted butter in a 3-quart saucepan until tender, do not brown.
  2. Add beef broth and pepper to the onions and simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Brown bread slices on both sides in remaining butter in a skillet.

Tips & Substitutions

For a deeper flavor, try adding a splash of white wine to the onions as they sauté. If you're out of Swiss cheese, Gruyère is an excellent substitute that will melt beautifully. To enhance the dish, consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or a bay leaf while simmering the broth for added depth. If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth and use olive oil instead of butter.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the soup hot, topped with the toasted French bread and shredded Swiss cheese, allowing the cheese to melt slightly. This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal. For a heartier option, consider serving it alongside a protein like Wasabi Miso Flank Steak for a satisfying dinner.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if it thickens too much. You can also reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Steamy Onion Soup contains roughly 2014 calories, with 95g protein, 63g carbohydrates, and 154g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (190% of the Daily Value), calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (119% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 936mg per serving (41% of the Daily Value).

2014 kcal 100% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 94.8g 100% DV
Total Fat 154.4g 100% DV
Carbs 62.7g 23% DV
Fiber 2.3g 8% DV
Sugar 0.5g 1% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 935.6mg 41% DV
Potassium 466.2mg 10% DV
Cholesterol 466.4mg 100% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 1070.5mcg 100% DV
Vitamin C 20.8mg 23% DV
Calcium 2000mg 100% DV
Iron 2mg 11% DV
Diet fit High-protein
Contains Milk Wheat/Gluten

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 onion soup can be made a day in advance. Just prepare it up to the point of serving, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving, adding fresh bread and cheese to keep it delicious.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version of this soup, simply replace the beef broth with vegetable broth and use olive oil instead of butter for sautéing the onions. The flavor will still be rich and satisfying.

What can I do with leftover bread?

Leftover bread can be stored in a paper bag at room temperature for a day or two, or frozen for longer storage. Use it to make croutons or blend it into breadcrumbs for other recipes, adding texture and flavor to dishes.

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).

Beef recipes → Dairy recipes → All recipes →