This traditional French Onion Soup recipe has warm baguettes topped with hot, melted Gruyere cheese. High quality beef broth, a splash of wine, and perfectly caramelized onions are the secrets to this classic recipe. PLUS, check out how you can prepare this recipe in the Crock Pot.
In case you didn’t know, I am a soup fanatic. And there are so many different ways there are to make a traditional, homemade french onion soup recipe. I have tried them all, I’ve researched a lot, and I’ve finally got this recipe totally nailed down.
The secret to making the best French Onion Soup is to properly caramelize the onions and to use high-quality ingredients. That means using good butter, wine, broth, fresh baguettes, and cheese.
But don’t worry- I’ve offered great substitution options if you prefer not to use alcohol or would like more budget-friendly cheese options. I’ll even show you how the Slow Cooker can help you caramelize those onions!
Traditionally french onion soup is cooked with wine, helping to develop another layer of flavour to this simple soup. For those of us that don’t cook with wine, I have found a good substitute for wine in many dishes is balsamic vinegar.
Use High Quality Beef and Chicken Broth
- Some recipes call for using only beef broth, but adding chicken broth creates a greater depth of flavor.
- Homemade or High-quality commercial beef broth is a must. You can also try to purchase a private label from a local butcher.
- Homemade chicken broth is also ideal for this soup.
Use more onions than you think
- Onions made up of over 80% water. They shrink down considerably as they cook, as you will see below.
- I use 5 pounds in this recipe.
French Onion Soup Recipe Without Wine, Sherry or any Alcohol + No Oven-Safe Bowls Needed!
FAQ
What is a good substitute for white wine in French onion soup?
What is a substitute for white wine in soup?
What can I substitute for wine in French onion soup?
If you wish to compromise, a small splash of white wine vinegar would be the ideal substitute for wine in French onion soup. It would add acidity and brightness to the soup. However, my recipe omits it completely to accommodate readers wishing to avoid alcohol of all sorts.
What are the substitutes for onions?
A small onion is a good replacement for a traditional onion. Other alternatives include pout onions, celery, grated chives, cilantro, garlic powder, garlic, garlic salt, and onion flakes, which is a dehydrated form of onion and has a mild flavor.
Can you make French onion soup without wine?
Alcohol adds complexity to the flavor of the soup, but it is not required. 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. It would add acidity and brightness to the soup.
What can I use instead of sherry for French onion soup?
Once your onions have reached the desired stage, it’s time to deglaze your pan. This is where you would typically add an alcohol like a wine, dry sherry or dry vermouth. However, as this is a French onion soup recipe without sherry or the like, I’ve devised a tasty substitute.