What Is French Onion Soup?

Ooh la la, we’re talking about French stuff! We all know that France is famous for its baguettes, croissants, and overly amorous skunks. But we often forget about that other quintessentially French thing: French onion soup! I mean it’s right there in the name. 

French onion soup is one of those great dishes that you can find on menus at both high-end French bistros and Outback Steakhouses. (Seriously, Outback has a pretty decent French onion soup. I like to go there and get French onion soup, an entire awesome blossom, and a prime rib. Now that’s a good lunch!) 

But what is French onion soup? What cheese goes on French onion soup? Is French onion soup French, really? Let’s all put on our berets and study some French onion soup!

What is French onion soup?

French onion soup is like regular onion soup but with tongue. Thank you. Anyway, onion soups have been popular in France since medieval times. We’re talking big old steaming bowls of onion soup served in taverns and inns, eaten by townsfolk with a hunk of bread. Apocryphal stories on French onion soup’s origin abound. One favorite has King Louis XV getting hungry late one night at his hunting lodge and finding only onions, butter, and Champagne is his pantry.  Most likely, onion soups were invented and popular because onions were so inexpensive.

Modern French onion soup became the dish you would recognize today in the 1800s.The big open-air market in Paris called Les Halles has restaurants all around like La Poule au Pot, Chez Baratte, and Au Pied de Cochon. Those places served modern French onion soup. What exactly were they serving? What is French onion soup? French onion soup, or soupe à l’oignon gratinée, consists of lightly fried, caramelized onions, traditionally made with beef stock or broth with croutons (think: slices of baguette, not the little cubes), then topped with cheese and broiled until it’s browned and crusty. 

Is French onion soup actually French? 

Oui.

What cheese goes on French onion soup?

French onion soup is primarily a delivery service for cheese. If you’re in the mood for cheese and don’t want to just sit down with a giant hunk of it, French onion soup is the way to go. The traditional cheese for French onion soup is Gruyere. 

French onion soup is usually served gratin style. Shredded Gruyere cheese and bread crumbs top the soup and are browned under a hot broiler. This gives the soup a delicious crusty, browned cheese topping. But hey, feel free to make French onion soup your own thing. People put parmesan, provolone, Swiss, Fontina and mozzarella in there. 

What does French onion soup taste like?

French onion soup tastes intensely rich, savory, and warming. Need more specifics? French onion soup tastes like more savory caramelized onions—but liquidy. You break through the layer of crusty cheese and find a crock-sized crouton soaked with broth and flecked with onion. A good French onion soup warms the soul and makes you happy on a cold summer morning. It’s why I always carry eight thermoses on me at all times.