Onions: You can use white, yellow or red onions for French onion soup. But to make it the classic way, you will need 5-6 large yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced.
Are yellow or white onions better for French onion soup?
The best type of onion for French Onion Soup is any variety that can be properly caramelized without being too sharp or bitter (like red) and won’t overpower other flavors (like white). Sweet yellow onions are the best option, but any onion will do!
What onions go best in soup?
According to several sources, the yellow onion is the best variety for cooking and soups, including French Onion soup. Red onions have a bit too much of a bold and spicy bit for soups and are best used in raw dishes. Sweet onions are another popular choice for cooking.
What makes French onion soup French?
Classic French Onion Soup gets its name because it originated in France in the 18th century and it has been a national treasure – nay, worldly treasure – ever since. French Onion Soup is made with caramelized onions, beef broth, white wine, bay leaves and thyme, thus French + Onion + Soup!
What are French onion soup made of?
French onion soup, or soupe à l’oignon gratinée, is a classic French dish made with caramelized onions and beef stock or broth. The soup is topped with bread and cheese, then gratinéed to rich, gooey perfection. It’s traditionally served in a ramekin or a ceramic crock with a handle.
Why is my French onion soup bitter?
Cook them too quickly over heat that’s too high, and you risk burning them and adding a scorched, bitter taste to your soup, so resist the urge to speed up this step.
How do you cut onions for onion soup?
Cut the onions root off on both ends and peel away the skin. Place the sliced end on the cutting board for stability and then slice it in half like a half moon. Slice it into thin strips. You will have several cups of onions.
What type of onion should I use?
Yellow onions have a bite when eaten raw, but when cooked, they turn mellow and become sweeter. As they are cooked, the softer and more translucent they become and the mellower they get. Yellow onions are great to use for caramelized onions, becoming soft and sweet with low, slow cooking.
What is the best tasting onion?
1. Yellow Onions. Yellow onions are your go-to cooking onions. This onion has yellow skin and a strong flavor due to its high sulphur content, which mellows out during cooking, becoming sweet and flavorful.
What are white onions best for?
White Onions
These onions are slightly sweeter, a bit milder in taste than yellow onions. They’re a good choice for dicing and serving raw on sandwiches and salads or in fresh salsas.
What are the best cheeses for French onion soup?
The Best Cheese for French Onion Soup
- Provolone: mild but rich with the best cheese pull-ness.
- Gruyere: a little nutty and earthy in flavor.
- Fontina: another mild white cheese that melts well.
- Mozzarella: avoid using the fresh mozzarella as it will be watery when it melts.
How do you fix bland French onion soup?
All OP needs is some apple cider vinegar to brighten the soup up. Tomato paste just confuses the flavors.
How do I thicken French onion soup?
If you want to thicken your French onion soup, you can add a bit of flour. Combine a couple of tablespoons of flour with a teaspoon of salt and whisk in about a quarter cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, until thickened.
What is the difference between onion soup and French onion soup?
Is there a difference between onion soup and French onion soup? Onion soup usually requires a combination of a variety of onions. French onion soup is traditionally made with yellow onions. Also, French onion soup is always made with beef stock while onion soup uses any type of stock or broth.
How long does homemade French onion soup last?
3 to 4 days
Store the soup—without the croutons—in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
What is traditionally served with French onion soup?
What to Serve with French Onion Soup
- 1905 Salad. Let’s start this list with a nice appetizer or side dish.
- Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad.
- Chicken Pesto Panini.
- Croque Monsieur.
- Scalloped Potatoes.
- Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread.
- Steak.
- Lemon Butter Scallops.
What white wine is best for French onion soup?
Wine is optional to deglaze the pan and add flavour to the soup. I recommend a dry white or red wine, such as a good quality Pinot Grigio/Gris, Sauv Blanc, Sémillon, Chardonnay, Merlot or Pinot Noir. Generally, if you can’t drink it, don’t cook with it.
What is the best red wine for French onion soup?
*Do not use red cooking wine. The wines that will give the soup the richest flavor are Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon. Traditional french onion soup tastes best when served immediately.
Do you need wine for French onion soup?
You can absolutely make your French onion soup without wine or alcohol of any kind. If you wish to compromise, a small splash of white wine vinegar would be the ideal substitute for wine in French onion soup.
How do you keep bread from getting soggy in French onion soup?
The only way to do that is with an even layer of finely grated cheese between the soup and the toast. So to be clear, you need two layers of cheese. The “primer” layer of cheese will keep your bread floating above the soup’s surface, safe from the liquid ravages of the cauldron below.
How big do you cut onions for French onion soup?
Directions for French onion soup
Peel each half, keeping the flesh tethered at the root end. Slice 1/4-inch thick longways, pole-to-pole, using a mandolin if you have one. Toss the slices to loosen and separate them.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.