Famous Barr'S French Onion Soup Recipe

Name: Famous Barr'S French Onion Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 5 lbs onions, unpeeled; 1/2 cup butter (1 stick); 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground; 2 tablespoons paprika; 1 bay leaf; 7 (16 ounce) cans beef broth, divided (recommended Swanson's); 1 cup dry white wine (optional); 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (such as Wondra) or 3/4 cup instant flour (such as Wondra); caramel coloring (optional) or Kitchen Bouquet (optional); 2 teaspoons salt; French baguette (optional); swiss cheese (optional) or gruyere cheese (optional)

Servings: persons

5 lbs onions, unpeeled
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
2 tablespoons paprika
1 bay leaf
7 (16 ounce) cans beef broth, divided (recommended Swanson's)
1 cup dry white wine (optional)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (such as Wondra) or 3/4 cup instant flour (such as Wondra)
caramel coloring (optional) or Kitchen Bouquet (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
French baguette (optional)
swiss cheese (optional) or gruyere cheese (optional)

1
Peel onions and slice 1/8 inch thick, preferably in a food processor.
2
Melt butter in a 6-quart (or larger) stockpot. Add onions; cook, uncovered, over low heat for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
3
(The long cooking time makes the onions mellow and sweet.) Stir in pepper, paprika and bay leaf; saute over low heat 10 minutes more, stirring frequently.
4
Pour in 6 cans broth and wine. Increase heat and bring to a boil.
5
Dissolve flour in remaining 1 can broth.
6
Stir into boiling soup.
7
Reduce heat and simmer slowly for 2 hours.
8
Adjust color to a rich brown with caramel coloring, season with salt. Refrigerate overnight. To serve, heat soup in microwave or on stove top.
9
If desired, pour into ovenproof crocks or bowls.
10
Top with a slice of bread and a sprinkling of grated cheese. Heat under the broiler until cheese melts and bubbles, about 5 minutes.
11
Leftover soup can be frozen.

544

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 12 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 5 lbs onions, unpeeled, 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground, 2 tablespoons paprika, and more.

Yes, Famous Barr'S French Onion Soup falls under the Soups & Stews category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Famous Barr'S French Onion Soup

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions