French Onion Soup for One

Classic French Onion Soup made for one, featuring caramelized onions, rich chicken broth, and melted Gruyere cheese on toasted French bread. This easy homemade soup recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or cozy dinner. With simple ingredients like yellow onions, garlic, thyme, and red wine, it delivers authentic French flavor in a single-serving portion. Perfect for small kitchens, solo meals, or comfort food lovers looking for a warm, cheesy soup recipe.

Ingredients

US	Metric
3 tablespoons salted butter	3 tablespoons salted butter
1 small yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced	1 small yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped	1 clove garlic, chopped
½ teaspoon dried thyme	½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon kosher salt	¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper	⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
¼ cup red wine	60 ml red wine
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour	1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth	480 ml low-sodium chicken broth
1 thick slice French bread	1 thick slice French bread
¼ cup shredded Gruyere cheese	¼ cup shredded Gruyere cheese

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Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions

In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and caramelized, about 25 minutes.

2. Deglaze with Wine

Pour in the red wine and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.

3. Add Flour for Thickening

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to coat evenly. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.

4. Simmer the Soup

Stir in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if needed.

5. Prepare the Cheese Bread

Preheat your broiler. Place the French bread slice on a baking sheet, sprinkle the shredded Gruyere cheese on top, and broil until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown, about 3–4 minutes.

6. Assemble and Serve

Place the toasted cheese bread in a soup bowl and pour the hot onion soup over it. Serve immediately.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly caramelized onions create deep, rich flavor.
• Quick single-serving recipe for cozy meals.
• Golden Gruyere toast adds a satisfying crunch and gooey texture.
• Uses simple pantry ingredients for a gourmet feel at home.

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Tips

• Stir onions frequently to prevent burning.
• Use low-sodium broth so you can control the saltiness.
• Slice the bread thick for a sturdy base that won’t get soggy too fast.
• For extra flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar during caramelization.

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Variations and Substitutions

• Broth: Substitute vegetable or beef broth if preferred.
• Cheese: Swap Gruyere for Swiss, Fontina, or Mozzarella.
• Wine: Use dry white wine instead of red for a lighter flavor.
• Bread: Try baguette slices, ciabatta, or sourdough for texture variation.

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FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! The caramelized onions and soup base can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Assemble with bread and cheese just before serving.

Can I make it vegan?
Replace butter with olive oil, use vegetable broth, and a vegan cheese alternative.

How do I store leftovers?
Keep the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove.

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Serving Suggestions

• Pair with a crisp green salad for a light, complete meal.
• Serve with roasted vegetables on the side for extra comfort.
• Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley for a pop of color.