About the Recipe
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of classic French onion soup to warm you up on a chilly day. Traditionally made with beef broth and red wine, this timeless dish is known for its rich, complex flavors. However, not everyone keeps wine in their pantry—or may prefer to skip it due to dietary restrictions. That’s why I’ve created a version of this beloved soup that’s just as flavorful, without the wine.
To achieve the same depth and savory richness, this recipe uses a base of beef broth and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Combined with perfectly caramelized onions, fresh garlic, and a hint of sage, the result is a soup that’s bursting with flavor and has just the right amount of sweetness.
This no-wine French onion soup is as versatile as it is delicious. It’s naturally gluten-free, and with a few simple swaps—like using vegetable broth and vegan butter—it can easily be made vegetarian or vegan. Whether you’re preparing a comforting family meal or hosting a dinner party, this recipe is sure to delight.
Not only is it a crowd-pleaser, but it’s also surprisingly easy to make. All you need are a handful of simple ingredients and a little patience to caramelize the onions to perfection. The result? A velvety, savory bowl of soup that tastes like it simmered all day.
If you’re looking for a cozy, classic recipe with a unique twist, give this classic French onion soup without wine a try. It’s comfort food at its finest, and I hope it becomes a favorite in your kitchen!
No-Wine Alternative: You don’t need wine to create a rich, flavorful broth—perfect for those who prefer alcohol-free recipes.
Versatile and Customizable: Easily adapt this soup to fit vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets with a few simple swaps.
Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples, so no special trips to the store are needed.
Classic Comfort: The rich broth, tender caramelized onions, and cheesy toasted bread make for a dish that’s as cozy as it is satisfying.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a quiet night at home, this soup is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Save time by preparing the soup in advance—it reheats beautifully!
What You'll Love
Can I use a different type of broth?
Absolutely! While beef broth provides the classic rich flavor, you can substitute it with chicken or vegetable broth for a lighter or vegetarian version.
What can I use instead of apple cider vinegar?
If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or a splash of lemon juice can work as substitutes to add that tangy depth.
How long does it take to caramelize the onions?
Caramelizing onions takes about 35–40 minutes over medium-low heat. Patience is key to achieving that deep, golden-brown color and rich flavor.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes! This soup stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat it gently on the stovetop before serving.
What’s the best cheese for topping?
Gruyère is the traditional choice, but you can use Swiss cheese, mozzarella, or even a combination of cheeses for the topping.
How can I make it vegan?
To make this soup vegan, swap the beef broth for vegetable broth and replace the butter with a plant-based alternative. Use a vegan cheese for the topping or skip it altogether.
Frequently asked Questions
Ingredients
Soup:
5 Yellow Onions (thinly sliced)
3-4 tablespoons Butter
1 teaspoon sugar1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Sage leaves thinly sliced (Extra if you want to add crispy sage for topping)
3 small Garlic Cloves (finely chopped)
4 cups Beef Stock
1 1/2 tablespoons Flour
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 Bay leaf
2 Tablespoons Apple Cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
Splash of Worcestershire sauce (or Maggi)
Toppings:
2 slices of Baguette (per soup)
3-4 slices of Gruyère (per soup)
Preparation
I love eating this soup so much. It is my favorite winter meal. Luckily this recipe is so easy to make, you'll be able to enjoy the comfort of classic french onion soup whenever you fancy it. If you are like me, the only difficult part might be the prep. My eyes are very sensitive to the onion fumes and so onion soup and red teary eyes go hand in hand. But as they say, no pain, no gain. It is all worth it if you ask me.
Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to make classic french onion soup:
Prep the onions and sage: Start by finely slicing your onions and sage. I like to slice my onions as thinely as possible. I find they cook faster this way and are just more pleasant to eat.
Caramelize the onions: In a large pot, melt your butter. Add the onions, sage, sugar and salt (cook on medium until onions start to appear golden). You don't want the heat too hot, you want to really caramelize the onions. This can take a while 15-20 minutes. Tip: Do NOT be tempted to increase the temperature to make them cook faster. You do not want to burn them and you really want all the delicious onion flavor to come out. Patience is key here. Trust me, the deep flavor of this soup comes from the caramelized onions.
Add in garlic, flour and broth: Add in the garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes. Mix in the flour until you have coated your onion mixture and then add the broth.
Add the aromatics: Flavor with pepper, mustard, vinegar, and Worcestershire (if you have Maggi I tend to prefer it, but I know it can be hard to find in some areas). Add the bay leaf and cook 5-10 minutes. Add more salt for taste if needed.
Broil the cheese covered soup to golden perfection: Scoop soup into oven safe soup bowls (ramekins, or special onion soup bowls with handles). Top with a couple of bread slices (I like to use baguette but any hearty bread will do) top the bread with some Gruyère cheese and set the bowls on a baking tray. Place the tray in the oven and broil for 3-5 minutes (or until the cheese has melted).
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Optional Garnish: If you wish to add some crispy sage, heat some neutral oil in a pan (I use vegetable oil) add sage leaves and fry 1-2 minutes per side (or until crispy). Remove sage leaves from the pan and lay them on a paper towel lined plate to soak up any excess oil.
Crumble the crispy sage over your soup and enjoy!
If you liked this classic french onion soup recipe here are a few others you may enjoy: