There's nothing quite like coming home to a pot of deeply caramelized, savory-sweet onions simmering away in a rich beef broth. This crock pot French onion soup does all the hard work for you, letting your slow cooker turn humble onions into pure comfort in a bowl.
Simple, everyday ingredients and clear, step-by-step instructions — every recipe made in Dorothy’s kitchen before it reaches yours. Jump to the full recipe card below.
PrintCrock Pot French Onion Soup
A cozy crock pot French onion soup with slow-caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and a bubbly toasted cheese topping.
- Total Time: 9 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place the sliced onions, melted butter, olive oil, garlic, and sugar into the crock pot and stir to coat evenly.
- Cover and cook on high for 6 hours, stirring once or twice, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown.
- Pour in the beef broth, white wine, bay leaves, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 more hours to let the flavors meld together.
- Remove the bay leaves and ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls.
- Top each bowl with a slice of toasted baguette and a generous handful of Gruyère and Parmesan cheese.
- Place the bowls under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Serve the crock pot French onion soup immediately while hot and bubbling.
Notes
For deeper flavor, caramelize the onions on high for the full 6 hours before adding the broth. If you don’t have oven-safe bowls, broil the cheese toasts separately on a baking sheet, then float them on top of the soup.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 hours 30 minutes
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make crock pot French onion soup without wine?
Yes, simply omit the wine and add an extra splash of beef broth in its place. The soup will still be rich and flavorful thanks to the deeply caramelized onions.
How long does it take to caramelize onions in a crock pot?
For this crock pot French onion soup, onions typically take about 6 hours on high to become fully caramelized and golden brown without any stirring on the stove.
What cheese is best for French onion soup?
Gruyère is the classic choice for its nutty flavor and excellent melting quality, but a mix of Gruyère and Parmesan gives this crock pot French onion soup even more depth.
Can I freeze leftover French onion soup?
Yes, the soup base freezes well for up to 3 months. Freeze it without the bread and cheese topping, then thaw and add fresh toppings before broiling.
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