Cooking Time & Servings

Chicago Bistro French Onion Soup - Standard Recipe

You Will Need

  • Chicago Bistro French Onion Soup Mix
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 large, sweet onion (about 3 cups)
  • 6 cups beef broth (48 oz.)
  • ½ cup apple cider or apple juice
  • 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire
  • 1 tsp. sugar, optional
  • (serving suggestion: top each bowl with shredded Gruyère cheese and croutons)

Here's What You Do

  1. Peel onion,cut into quarters,cross cut quarters to form narrow semi-circle slices.
  2. In a 4-quart pot melt butter and sauté onion for 10 minutes, or to caramelize onion, add 1 teaspoon sugar and continue to cook for 10 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Stir in soup mix. Add broth, apple cider or juice and Worcestershire.
  4. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 40 minutes.
  5. Serve as is or top each bowl with croutons and Gruyère cheese.

Got leftovers? Learn how to cool, store, and reheat soup safely in our guide to soup storage and food safety.

Cooking & Nutrition Tips

Use the tips below to customize nutrition, boost flavor, or stretch the soup to fit your needs.

Reducing Sodium?

All of our mixes contain no added salt, only what occurs naturally in the ingredients. To further reduce sodium, use a low-sodium broth, bone broth, or stock. Organic broths often contain less sodium, and homemade broth/stock gives you the most control.

  • Skip: Cheese + croutons
  • Use: Reduced sodium Worcestershire + low-sodium broth
  • Extra step: Sub water for half the broth

Boosting Protein?

Substitute standard broth with beef or chicken bone broth, stir in unflavored collagen or whey protein powder, add shredded steak or chicken, and increase cheese topping (Gruyère/Swiss). Using sprouted grain bread for croutons further increases protein.

Cutting Calories/Fat?

  • Swap: Sauté onions with 2 Tbsp vegetable oil + 1 Tbsp butter (instead of 3 Tbsp butter)
  • Skip: The cheese topping—try chopped chives or green onions instead

More Veggies?

  • Add: 1½ cups chopped mushrooms or 1 cup chopped yellow squash (final 10 min)
  • Bonus fruit twist: Add 1 chopped apple and swap broth for 100% apple cider

Interested in whole grains or extra fiber?

Replace the traditional white baguette with thick-sliced, toasted whole-grain or sprouted bread. Boost fiber by stirring in cooked green lentils, adding hearty veggies like sliced leeks or mushrooms, or using whole-wheat flour to thicken the broth.

Looking for Mediterranean-Inspired additions?

Add 1 chopped apple + swap some broth for 100% apple cider

Serving and Garnish Ideas

Top with a thick slice of toasted baguette (rubbed with garlic) and a generous layer of broiled Gruyère or Swiss cheese for a classic finish. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves for a bright aroma, and serve with side salads, steak, or crusty bread to enhance the meal.

Cooking Methods

Slow Cooker 

We do not recommend using a slow cooker due to the short cooking time on the stovetop.

Pressure Cooker

We do not recommend using a pressure cooker due to the short cooking time on the stovetop.

Dietary Adaptations

These mixes are flexible by design. Use the adaptations below to meet your dietary needs or cooking preferences.

Vegan   

Apples add a hint of sweetness to this classic bistro special.

You Will Also Need:

  • 3 Tbsp. oil
  • 5 cups vegetable broth (40 oz.)
  • 2 Tbsp. Vegan Worcestershire
  • 1 large, sweet onion
  • 1 large apple sliced
  • 1/2 cup apple cider (or apple juice)
  • 1 tsp. sugar, (optional)
  • (serving suggestion) Top with 8 oz shredded non-dairy Gruyere or Swiss cheese and 2 cups croutons.

Here’s What You Do:

  1. Peel onion, cut into quarters, then cross cut quarters to form narrow semi-circle slices. Slice apple into 16ths and add with onion.
  2. In a 4-quart pot, heat oil and sauté onion 10 minutes, or to caramelize onion, add 1 teaspoon sugar and continue to cook for 10 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Stir in soup mix. Add Broth, apple cider, Worcestershire.
  4. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer, cover, and cook for 40
  5. Serve as is or may top each bowl with croutons and cheese.

Vegetarian

This soup is vegetarian as prepared, with no changes required.

Gluten Free

This soup is naturally gluten free when prepared as directed. Top with gluten free bread.

Dairy Free

This soup is naturally dairy free when prepared as directed. Use your favorite dairy free cheese.

Recipe Variations

Looking to switch things up? A few simple tweaks can make this recipe your own.

Hearty French Onion Beef Stew:
Add 1–2 lbs beef stew meat to the sautéed onions and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir in the soup mix and use 4 cups beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer on low for about 1½ hours until the meat is tender. Add 2 chopped potatoes, cover, and cook 30 minutes more.

Extra Onion Flavor:
Use a mix of red, yellow, and white onions for deeper, sweeter onion flavor.

Broiled French Onion Style:
Top finished soup with cheese and place under the broiler until melted and bubbly.

Plant-Based Version:
Use olive oil instead of butter and substitute low-sodium vegetable broth for beef broth for a fully plant-based bowl.

Inspired by our customers. Thanks to Barb C., Patty, and BFL for sharing their ideas.
Have a favorite twist of your own? Send us an email or leave a review on the product page.