French onion soup is a classic French dish made with caramelized onions and beef stock or broth. The soup is topped with bread and cheese, then grilled to rich, gooey perfection.
French onion soup is traditionally topped with Gruyère, but other cheeses can be used. Most French onion soups are topped with three cheeses for maximum decadence.
This recipe calls for Parmesan, provolone, and Swiss. Other popular choices include Fontina and mozzarella. No matter which cheeses you choose, make sure not to skimp! French onion soup should be rich and indulgent.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Type of cheese | Gruyère, Swiss, Fontina, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, Provolone, Gouda, Emmental, Comte |
What You'll Learn
Swiss cheese
When making French onion soup, it's important to choose a cheese that will not overpower the other flavours in the soup. Swiss cheese is a good option because it adds richness without being too oily. It also has good meltability and can be combined with other cheeses such as Gruyère, Comté, Emmental, and even Gouda or Mozzarella.
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Gruyère
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Swiss cheese
- Provolone
- Fontina
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Mozzarella
Other cheeses that are commonly used in French onion soup include provolone, fontina, and Monterey Jack. These cheeses are known for their good melting properties and mild flavours, making them perfect for this classic soup.
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Fontina
The recipe involves heating olive oil over medium heat, adding onions, salt, and pepper, and cooking until the onions are tender. Then, add thyme and broth, and simmer until the onions are soft. Divide the soup into ramekins, add cubed bread, and top with Fontina cheese. Broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
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Provolone
French onion soup is all about the cheese. The soup itself should be clear, beefy, fragrant, and balanced, without any bitter notes. The cheese needs to complement the soup but is also a key ingredient, adding additional richness and mouthfeel.
No matter what cheese you choose, you're looking for something that will grate finely, melt easily, and not overpower the other flavours of the soup. It should have a touch of pull and not be oily.
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Frequently asked questions
French onion soup is traditionally topped with Gruyère, but other cheeses can be used. Most French onion soups are topped with three cheeses for maximum decadence.
This recipe calls for Parmesan, provolone, and Swiss. Other popular choices include Fontina and mozzarella. No matter which cheeses you choose, make sure not to skimp! French onion soup should be rich and indulgent.
Gruyère is the traditional choice.
You can use a combination of Swiss, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. You can also try Fontina, Monterey Jack, or Gouda.