There’s something timeless about a good bowl of soup. It has the power to nourish, to comfort, and to gather people together around a table.
From the first aroma that fills the kitchen (and then the entire house) to the final sip from the spoon, soup invites us to slow down and savor life’s simplest pleasures.
As someone who has spent years immersed in Turkish culture and the art of olive oil, I’ve learned that comfort food doesn’t have to come at the expense of health. When you begin with honest, high-quality ingredients—especially a premium extra virgin olive oil—flavor and wellness naturally come together.
One dish that embodies this well is French onion soup. Deeply caramelized onions, a savory broth, and a golden crown of bread and cheese. Yuuummm. It’s rustic, elegant, and endlessly satisfying.
Traditionally made with butter, this version uses Elysian extra virgin olive oil to achieve the same richness with a lighter, heart-healthy twist. The result? A soup that feels indulgent yet aligns beautifully with the principles of the Mediterranean diet.
This recipe combines old-world French comfort with the purity and vitality of Turkish olive oil—a simple reminder that when you cook with better ingredients, you elevate not just the meal, but the experience itself.
A Classic Made Luxurious with Olive Oil
French onion soup is famous for its rich, caramelized onions, savory broth, and the indulgent finish of toasted bread and melted cheese. Traditionally, butter does the heavy lifting—but here, we use Elysian extra virgin olive oil as the base. It adds a silky texture, a peppery depth of flavor, and heart-healthy benefits without sacrificing authenticity.
This recipe proves that when you start with the right olive oil, even a humble onion transforms into something extraordinary.
Why Olive Oil Elevates This Recipe
While butter is common, high-quality olive oil:
- Caramelizes onions beautifully without overpowering them.
- Adds layers of flavor—nutty, peppery, and slightly fruity.
- Keeps the dish lighter and healthier, staying true to Mediterranean principles.
By swapping in olive oil, this soup gains a subtle complexity that pairs perfectly with earthy thyme, rich bone broth, and the tang of sherry vinegar.
Beyond flavor, there are also health benefits. In 2022, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology published an article where they explained their findings that when individuals consumed higher levels of olive oil—as opposed to butter, dairy fat, etc— their overall and cause-specific risks of death were lower.
French Onion Soup Recipe
This recipe comes to us from William over at Cross-Cultural Cuisine.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Elysian Olive Oil
- 2 pounds onions, finely sliced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp flour
- ¼ cup white wine or dry white wine vinegar
- 2 cups bone broth
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tsp sherry vinegar (substitute with any of the vinegars)
- Crusty bread & grated cheese (Gruyère or Emmental traditional; cheddar or provolone for variations)
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and salt. Cook slowly for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deep golden brown and jammy.
- Add the flour. Sprinkle over the onions and stir for 1 minute to thicken.
- Deglaze with wine. Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits for maximum flavor.
- Simmer the broth. Stir in the bone broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Finish the soup. Remove herbs and stir in the sherry vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve with bread & cheese. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with toasted bread and cheese. Broil until bubbly and golden.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
- Herbs: Swap thyme for rosemary for a bolder aroma.
- Cheese: Go classic with Gruyère or try a sharper cheddar.
- Pairings: Serve with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a bold red like Côtes du Rhône.
- Mezze-Inspired: Skip the bread and serve smaller portions alongside olives, hummus, and flatbread for a Mediterranean spread.
- Vegetarian: Use vegetable broth instead of bone broth for a plant-based version.
Storage & Leftovers Tips
- Refrigerator: Store in a sealed container up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Soup (without bread and cheese topping) freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it’s too thick.
- Bread & Cheese: Always add fresh bread and cheese when serving—avoid freezing with toppings.
A Table Worth Gathering Around
This French onion soup is rustic yet refined—perfect for a cozy family dinner or an elegant starter when entertaining. By starting with Elysian extra virgin olive oil, you transform a French classic into a Mediterranean-inspired dish rooted in both tradition and health.
Because when you cook with better oil, you don’t just make a meal—you create a memory.
