Cheese And Onion Soup: The Perfect Melty Combination

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. The best cheeses for French onion soup are Gruyère, Swiss, provolone, Fontina, and mozzarella.

The best cheese for French onion soup

French onion soup is a warm bowl of comfort food made by serving caramelized onions in beef stock. The best cheese to use for French onion soup is Gruyère. Gruyère is a type of Swiss cheese. It is a semi-hard cheese that has a slightly nutty, salty flavour and a creamy texture. It is slow-melting and grates well. Gruyère is the perfect kind of cheese for French onion soup because it melts well, adds a creamy flavour to the soup, and does not overpower the taste of the onions.

Some alternatives to Gruyère are:

• Comté: This semi-firm French cheese is very similar to Gruyère and is often used in French onion soup recipes.
• Swiss: Gruyère is a type of Swiss cheese, so it makes sense to use Swiss as a substitute. However, Swiss cheese tends to be more processed than Gruyère and will lack its rich depth of flavour.
• Provolone: Provolone is a mild cheese that makes a decent replacement.
• Fontina: Fontina is another white cheese that melts well.
• Mozzarella: Mozzarella melts much quicker than Gruyère and may be greasier when it melts.
• Monterey Jack: Monterey Jack melts well but its flavour may be too overpowering.
• Gouda, Jarlsberg, Raclette, or Beaufort also make good substitutions.

How to make French onion soup

French onion soup is a warm, comforting dish that is surprisingly easy to make. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make this classic French dish.

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Olive oil
• Onions (white, yellow, or red)
• Flour
• White wine
• Beef or vegetable stock
• Worcestershire sauce
• Bay leaf
• Fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper
• Bread (French bread, baguette, or croutons)
• Cheese (Gruyère, Parmesan, provolone, Swiss, Asiago, Gouda, Fontina, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, etc.)

Instructions:

Start by caramelizing the onions. Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and coat them with the butter. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to turn golden. Continue cooking and stirring at intervals until the onions are caramelized and have a rich, chestnut brown color. This process can take around 30-60 minutes.

Next, add the remaining ingredients to the pot, including the stock, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and thyme. Stir everything together and let the soup simmer for at least 10 minutes. Then, remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

While the soup is simmering, prepare the bread topping. Slice the bread into 1-inch thick pieces and arrange them on a baking sheet. Toast the bread in the oven until it is golden and crispy.

Now, it's time to assemble the soup. Place oven-safe bowls on a thick baking sheet. Ladle the soup into each bowl, then top with a slice of toasted bread and your desired amount of grated or sliced cheese.

Finally, broil the soup to melt the cheese. Place the baking sheet with the bowls under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, keeping a close eye on it, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.

Serve the French onion soup immediately while it is still hot and bubbly. Enjoy the rich, indulgent flavors of this classic dish!

How to store French onion soup

French onion soup is a delicious and hearty meal, but how do you store it? Well, it depends on whether you've cooked the soup yet or not.

If you've made a big batch of French onion soup and want to save some for later, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze it! Just make sure to leave out the baguette and cheese topping, and it'll last in the freezer for 3-4 months.

If you're storing the soup before cooking, make sure to refrigerate it within two hours of preparing it. It will then last in the fridge for 3-4 days, or you can freeze it for future use.

When you're ready to eat your stored soup, simply defrost it and warm it up on the stove. If you're adding the cheese and baguette topping, it's best to make that fresh and add it to the soup before serving. Enjoy!

How to reheat French onion soup

French onion soup is a warm, comforting dish that is perfect for chilly days. The soup is made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and topped with toasted bread and melted cheese. While it is best served fresh, you can also reheat French onion soup to enjoy as leftovers. Here are some tips on how to reheat French onion soup to retain its flavor and texture:

Reheating French Onion Soup on the Stove:

This is the best method for reheating French onion soup as it allows you to control the temperature and heat as much or as little as needed.

• Pour the leftover soup into a cold pot and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent the onions from sticking to the bottom and burning.
• While the soup is heating, toast some bread and grate your desired amount of cheese.
• Ladle the hot soup into heat-proof bowls and add the toasted bread and grated cheese on top.
• Briefly broil the bowls in the oven or use the microwave to melt the cheese.

Reheating French Onion Soup in the Oven:

This method is more time-consuming and may not be ideal for reheating smaller portions.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Pour the soup into an oven-safe dish, adding a little extra liquid (stock or water) if the soup seems too thick.
• Cover the dish tightly with foil and heat for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While the soup is in the oven, toast your bread and grate the cheese.
• Once the soup is heated through, ladle it into bowls, add the toasted bread and cheese, and broil until the cheese melts.

Reheating French Onion Soup in the Microwave:

This method is quick and works well for single portions.

• Pour the soup into a microwave-safe container and cover it to prevent splatters.
• Heat the soup in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval.
• When the soup is hot, add toasted bread and cheese, and microwave for another 20 seconds to melt the cheese.
• If you prefer a browned top, use the broiler instead of the microwave to melt the cheese.

Additional Tips:

• French onion soup can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• If there is any leftover bread in the soup, discard it before storing, as it will become soggy.
• You can freeze French onion soup without the bread. Cool it to room temperature, then freeze for up to 3 months.
• To reheat frozen soup, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or reheat directly from frozen over low heat, breaking up the frozen chunks as you go.

How to freeze French onion soup

French onion soup is a hearty, comforting dish that can be frozen and enjoyed at a later date. Here is a guide on how to freeze French onion soup:

• Let the soup cool: Before freezing, it is important to let the soup cool down completely. This will help ensure that it freezes properly and reduces the risk of bacterial growth. Place the soup in the refrigerator until it is no longer warm.
• Choose suitable containers: Select freezer-safe containers that are airtight and have tight-fitting lids. You can use plastic or glass containers, heavy-duty freezer bags, or even ice cube trays for individual portions.
• Leave some space: When transferring the soup to the containers, leave about an inch of space at the top. This is because liquids expand when frozen, and leaving some space will prevent the container from cracking or bursting.
• Label the containers: Mark the containers with the date and contents. This will help you keep track of how long the soup has been frozen and ensure you consume it within the recommended time frame.
• Freeze the soup: Place the containers in the freezer and store them for up to 3 months.
• Defrost and reheat: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen French onion soup, take it out of the freezer and defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat the soup on the stovetop over low heat until it's heated through.

Tips and Variations:

• It is important to note that the croutons or bread topping should not be frozen with the soup. These should be prepared fresh when you are ready to serve the soup.
• If you want to add a cheesy topping, it is best to freeze the soup without any cheese. You can add the cheese when reheating the soup to ensure it melts properly and maintains its texture.
• To enhance the flavour of the soup, you can add a dash of Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar while cooking.
• For a vegetarian option, replace the beef broth with vegetable broth.

Frequently asked questions