Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman Crockpot French Onion Soup brings classic French comfort to American kitchens with minimal effort. Slow-simmered caramelized onions and rich beef broth create a deeply satisfying meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large or 6 small/medium yellow onions
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 stick (½ cup / 113 grams) butter
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 generous cup (240 milliliters) of dry white wine (optional)
- Worcestershire sauce (a couple of dashes)
Topping and Serving:
- French bread or baguette slices
- Gruyere cheese, grated (can substitute with Swiss, Asiago, Mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, or a combination)
Instructions
- Slowly caramelize thinly sliced onions with melted butter (28 grams or 2 tablespoons) inside the crockpot, allowing them to transform into a rich, golden-brown delicacy over 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high heat.
- Enhance the flavor profile by introducing dry white wine, simmering on high temperature for approximately 30 minutes to concentrate and reduce the liquid’s intensity.
- Incorporate chicken and beef broths (473 milliliters or 16 fluid ounces each) into the caramelized onion mixture, continuing the slow cooking process to develop deep, complex flavors.
- Infuse the soup with minced garlic and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, carefully seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the taste.
- Prepare crusty bread slices by spreading softened butter (14 grams or 1 tablespoon) and toasting under the broiler until achieving a golden, crisp texture.
- Generously grate Gruyere cheese (or selected alternative) over the toasted bread slices, positioning them atop the fragrant onion broth.
- Place the cheese-topped bowls under the broiler, allowing the cheese to melt completely and develop a slightly bubbling, golden-brown surface.
- Serve the French onion soup immediately while piping hot, ensuring the cheese remains gloriously melted and the bread retains its satisfying crunch.
Notes
- Prepare bread and cheese toppings first to streamline final assembly and prevent soggy croutons.
- Allowing caramelized onions to develop deep golden-brown color takes patience but guarantees intense, sweet flavor.
- Blending beef and chicken broths creates a more nuanced, complex taste profile than traditional single-broth versions.
- Worcestershire sauce introduces subtle umami undertones that elevate the soup’s overall savory character.
- Broiling crusty bread slices with melted Gruyere cheese produces a golden, crispy topping that adds luxurious texture and richness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg