Red wine French onion soup and gruyere toast is one of our favorite soup recipes to make. Caramelized onions, red wine, beef broth or beef stock come together with a bit of thyme. This is such a simple soup. You just need a little patience to allow the onions to caramelize.

onion soup in a bowl with a cheese covered piece of toast and a blue napkin

If you plan things out, you can actually get home from work, get the onions going, and let them do their magic. We like to serve this French onion soup with a crispy, cheesy baguette slice. Bruce came up with the idea of making the cheese toasts in the oven on parchment for easy clean up. You can then just serve them on top of the French onion soup, and pour a glass of red wine!

Three Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe:

Deep, Rich Flavor: The combination of caramelized onions and red wine creates a complex and satisfying depth of flavor.
Comforting and Hearty: This soup offers a warm and filling experience, perfect for cold days or when you’re craving comfort food.
Elegant Presentation: Topping the soup with a Gruyere cheese toast adds a touch of sophistication, making it suitable for both casual meals and special occasions.

Can I use white wine instead of red wine?

Absolutely, you can make the swap for wine depending on your taste. The red wine will give it a deeper, richer look and flavor, but a crisp white wine will also be very flavorful. And don’t worry, the alcohol cooks out!

Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

Of course! Swap the beef broth out for vegetable broth. Use vegetable or garlic bouillon instead of beef bouillon. When making the toast, just substitute a plant based cheese for the top of the baguette.

What is a good side dish to serve the French Onion soup with?

Our favorite pairing for this French onion with red wine is a caesar salad. We make up our homemade caesar dressing and keep it in the fridge. All you need is romaine lettuce, as you can use one of the pieces of cheese toast for the crouton! How delicious is that?

What you will need to make this French onion soup with red wine:

Soup Base

Butter: Adds richness and enhances the caramelization of the onions.
Shallots: Contribute a delicate, sweet, and slightly garlicky flavor.
Sweet Onions: Provide natural sweetness and caramelize beautifully.
Red Onions: Add mild sharpness and balance the sweetness.
Red Wine: Enhances depth and acidity, adding complexity.
Beef Bouillon: Intensifies the broth’s savory flavor.
Beef Broth or Stock: Creates a hearty, flavorful base.

Herbs and Seasonings

Bay Leaves: Infuse a subtle earthy aroma and depth.
Thyme: Offers woodsy, classic French flavor.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for bringing out all the flavors.

Toppings

Baguette: Provides a crispy contrast and a base for cheese.
Gruyere Cheese: Melts into a nutty, golden, gooey crust.

Red Wine French Onion Soup with Gruyere Cheese Toast is a rich and flavorful dish that combines caramelized onions, red wine, and savory beef broth, topped with a crispy, cheesy baguette slice.

How to Make Red Wine French Onion Soup:

Instructions for French Onion Soup:

Melt butter in an 8 quart pot.
Thinly slice shallots and onions. We use a mandolin, but a sharp knife works well.
Add shallots and onions into melted butter and cook at medium high for about 15-20 minutes. Look for them to become translucent, not browned. Now reduce the heat to low, and continue to cook with lid on for another 20 minutes. You are looking for nice brown color.
Add in the red wine to de-glaze the onions. Allow wine to cook down, reducing by half. About 15-20 minutes.
Toss in 2 bay leaves. Add thyme and pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir in the beef broth. Allow to cook for another 10-15 minutes.

Instructions for Cheese Toast:

Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
Slice French bread baguette. Arrange on a parchment covered sheet pan. Place in oven for 5 minutes to toast.
Stir in the beef bouillon and beef broth. Allow to cook for another 10-15 minutes.
Freshly grate the Gruyere cheese.
Remove bread from oven, and turn over. Return to oven for 5 minutes.
Remove bread from oven, and cover tops of each slice with a mound of the shredded cheese, covering the surface. Return to oven for about 5 minutes to melt. Then turn broiler on to slightly brown the cheese. Watch carefully so the cheese does not burn.

Serve the Soup:

Remove the bay leaves from the soup, and taste. Add salt or pepper as needed. Ladel soup onto small bowls or medium ramekins, and top each with a cheese covered baguette.

This Red Wine French Onion Soup with Gruyere Cheese Toast is a delightful blend of savory and sweet flavors, offering a comforting and elegant dining experience.

What is the history of French Onion soup?

French onion soup originates in Paris, France in the 18th century, made from beef broth, and caramelized onions. It was introduced to the United States by the New York restaurant of Henri Mouquin in 1861, where his wife Marie Julie Grandjean Mouquin was the chef.

Does the red wine cook out of the French onion soup?

Yes, you can serve soup with alcohol to children since the alcohol is burned off in the simmering process. Regardless if you use red wine, white wine or brandy, the cooking process will burn off all the alcohol.

What are the best onions to use in French onion soup?

Most onion varieties will work. We find that the combination of sweet onions, shallots & red onions give this soup a nice depth of flavor.

Storing Red Wine French Onion Soup

Cool Completely: Allow the soup to cool to room temperature before storing.
Use Airtight Containers: Transfer the soup (without the bread or cheese topping) into airtight containers. Store the bread and cheese separately.
Refrigeration: Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage (up to 3 months), freeze the soup. Use freezer-safe containers, leaving room for expansion.

Reheating Red Wine French Onion Soup

For the Soup Base

Stovetop:
- Heat the soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
- Add a splash of water or broth if the soup thickened during storage.
Microwave:
- Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover loosely and heat in 1–2 minute intervals, stirring in between until hot.

For the Toast and Cheese Topping

Prepare Freshly: Toast the baguette slices and melt the Gruyere on top just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Broiler Method:
- Preheat the broiler.
- Place the toasted baguette slices on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle Gruyere cheese on top and broil until melted and bubbly.

Assembling After Reheating

Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
Place the freshly prepared cheesy toast on top.
Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.