Ultimate Comfort: [GF]French Onion Soup on a Snow Day

When the snow piles up outside and the cold seeps into every corner of your home, nothing warms you quite like a bowl of rich, creamy soup. This weekend, I tried making French onion soup for the first time, but with a gluten free twist. The result was so satisfying! The deep caramelized onions, the savory broth, and the melted cheese on toasted gluten free bread came together perfectly to hit the spot on a chilly day. If you want to bring that cozy feeling to your kitchen, here’s my recipe and tips for making a delicious gluten free French onion soup.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this soup, gather these simple ingredients:

• 3 sweet onions, thinly sliced

• 1 cup Sauvignon Blanc wine

• 3 tablespoons butter plus a splash of oil

• 1 carton chicken bone broth plus 2 cups water

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 clove garlic, cut into large pieces

• Fresh or dried thyme

• Oregano

• 2 slices gluten free bread

• 1/4 cup cheese, coarsely grated (I did a mix of Gruyere, Fontina, and Parmesan)

  
  

Each ingredient plays a role in building the soup’s layers of flavor.

Step-by-Step Cooking Process

1. Caramelize the Onions

Start by chopping the onions into thin slices. Heat the butter and oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally. This process takes about 40 minutes. After 15 minutes, season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. The slow cooking lets the onions soften and turn a deep golden brown, which is key to the soup’s flavor. Don't be tempted to cover the pan.

2. Add Garlic and Wine

Once the onions are caramelized, stir in the chopped garlic. Pour in the cup of Sauvignon Blanc and cook until the liquid evaporates. This step helps concentrate the flavors and adds a subtle tang.

3. Simmer with Broth and Herbs

Add the chicken bone broth, water, bay leaf, thyme, and oregano. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the soup to develop a rich, comforting taste.

4. Prepare the Bread and Cheese

While the soup simmers, toast the gluten free bread slices until crisp. Mix the Gruyere, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses together. (Charlie and I trekked out in the snow to get the Gruyere, but it was SO worth it!)

5. Assemble and Bake

Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls (the hardest part of this recipe!) Place a slice of toasted gluten free bread on top of each bowl, then sprinkle generously with the cheese blend. Put the bowls under the broiler or in a hot oven until the cheese melts and bubbles, forming a golden crust.

Tips for the Best Gluten Free French Onion Soup

• Use sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla for natural sweetness.

• Cook onions slowly to avoid burning and to develop deep caramelization.

• Choose a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc for acidity without overpowering sweetness.

• Use bone broth for a richer, more flavorful base and higher protein content.

• Toast gluten free bread well so it holds up under the soup without getting soggy too fast. I used Schars GF sourdough and it worked wonderfully!

• Mix cheeses for a balance of meltiness and flavor complexity. You won't regret it!