Slow-Cooked Sweet Onion Soup
Indulge in the rich and savory flavor of this Slow-Cooked Sweet Onion Soup, perfect for a cozy lunch or a delightful snack. Crafted with tender Vidalia onions, this delightful dish slowly simmers in your crock pot, melding together the sweetness of the onions with a robust beef stock, white wine, and a hint of sherry for complexity. Finished with decadent toasts layered with melted cheese, this soup creates a luxurious experience in every spoonful. Share it with friends or enjoy it for yourself, and let each bite transport you to a charming French bistro.
4
Servings
215
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vidalia onions or sweet onions
4 large (very thinly sliced)
Unsalted butter
2 to 4 tablespoons
Beef stock
3 cups
Dry white wine
1 cup
Medium-dry sherry
1/4 cup
Reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon
Garlic
1 clove (minced)
French bread
4 slices (buttered)
Romano or Parmesan cheese
1/2 to 3/4 cup (shredded)
Instructions
1
In a large frying pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté them slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, caramelized, and glazed, about 20-30 minutes.
2
Transfer the sautéed onions to a crock pot.
3
Pour the beef stock, white wine, medium-dry sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic into the crock pot with the onions. Stir gently to combine.
4
Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. The longer the soup cooks, the richer the flavors will become.
5
About 10 minutes before serving, preheat your broiler. Arrange the buttered French bread slices on a baking sheet and generously sprinkle them with the shredded cheese.
6
Broil the bread until it is lightly toasted and the cheese is melted and bubbly, approximately 3-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
7
To serve, ladle the hot soup into bowls, then float a slice of the toasted French bread on top of each bowl, allowing the cheese to melt further into the soup.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
7.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow-Cooked Sweet Onion Soup?
It is a rich and savory soup made with caramelized Vidalia onions, beef stock, white wine, and sherry, slow-cooked to perfection and topped with cheesy French bread toasts.
What type of onions are best for this recipe?
Vidalia onions or other sweet onion varieties are recommended for their natural sweetness and ability to caramelize beautifully.
How should the onions be prepared?
The onions should be very thinly sliced before being sautéed.
How long do I need to sauté the onions?
You should sauté the onions over medium-low heat for about 20-30 minutes until they are soft, caramelized, and glazed.
What is the cooking time in the crock pot?
The soup should be cooked on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop.
Can I cook this soup on a high setting?
The recipe specifies cooking on low for 6 to 8 hours for the richest flavor, but generally, crock pot recipes can be adapted if watched closely.
What kind of stock is used in this soup?
This recipe calls for 3 cups of beef stock.
Does this recipe contain alcohol?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 cup of dry white wine and 1/4 cup of medium-dry sherry for added complexity.
What can I substitute for Romano cheese?
You can use shredded Parmesan cheese as an alternative to Romano cheese.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What are the nutritional facts per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 215 calories, 10g of fat, 22.5g of carbohydrates, and 7.5g of protein.
How is the bread prepared for the topping?
Slices of French bread are buttered, topped with shredded cheese, and broiled until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
How long does it take to broil the cheese toasts?
It takes approximately 3-5 minutes under the broiler; watch them closely to prevent burning.
Is there garlic in this onion soup?
Yes, the recipe includes one minced garlic clove for extra flavor.
What kind of butter should I use?
Unsalted butter is recommended for sautéing the onions.
Is this soup suitable for lunch?
Yes, it is categorized as a great choice for lunch or as a snack.
What provides the savory 'umami' flavor in the broth?
The combination of beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and caramelized onions provides a deep, savory flavor.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 main ingredients in this recipe.
Is this a vegetarian recipe?
No, this recipe uses beef stock and Worcestershire sauce, which often contains anchovies.
What is the first step in making this soup?
The first step is melting butter in a frying pan to sauté the sliced onions.
How do I serve the soup?
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and float a slice of the toasted, cheesy French bread on top of each bowl.
What kind of white wine should I use?
A dry white wine is best for this recipe to balance the sweetness of the onions.
Does the recipe use reduced-sodium ingredients?
Yes, it specifically calls for reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce.
Can I make the soup more rich?
The instructions note that the longer the soup cooks in the crock pot, the richer the flavors will become.
What is the total carbohydrate count?
There are 22.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe despite the long slow-cooking time.
What type of bread is best?
French bread is recommended for its ability to hold up when floating in the soup.
Can I use more cheese?
The recipe suggests 1/2 to 3/4 cup of shredded cheese, but you can adjust based on your preference.
Is there any sugar added to the soup?
No, the sweetness comes naturally from the Vidalia onions and the white wine/sherry.
How much sherry is needed?
You will need 1/4 cup of medium-dry sherry.