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Home-Friendly French Onion Soup

Recipe by Sebastian Graus on InstagramAdded 5 November 2026.

15 minutes to prep, 1 hour 10 minutes to cook. A comforting French onion soup made more approachable for weeknight cooking. Sweetly caramelized onions mingle with rich stock, chickpeas, and melty gruyère, topped with toasted bread for a hearty, cheesy finish. Perfect for a cozy dinner without the fuss of traditional preparations.

Free. No account needed.

Method

  1. Slice the onions thin.

  2. Heat a splash of oil or a knob of butter in a large pot over medium heat, add the onions and cook for 35‑45 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water if they stick.

  3. Add the stock, chickpeas, thyme, salt, and pepper; simmer for 20 minutes until the soup thickens slightly.

  4. Preheat the oven grill (broiler) on high. Tear the bread into chunks and toast on a tray until golden.

  5. Place the toasted bread on top of the soup and cover with grated cheese.

  6. Place the pot under the grill for 5 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden; use an oven‑safe pot and handle with mitts.

  7. Scoop the soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a crispy cheesy piece, and garnish with fresh thyme and additional black pepper.

Tips while you cook

Prevent onion sticking
Stir the onions occasionally and add a splash of water if they begin to stick.
Toast bread before adding
Toast the bread chunks on a tray under the grill until golden before placing them on the soup.
Use oven‑safe pot and mitts
Place the pot under the grill using an oven‑safe pot and handle it with mitts.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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Sebastian Graus made this.

The recipe comes from Sebastian Graus’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

Are you Sebastian Graus and want this changed? Email [email protected].

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