Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

Home » From Fast Food to Fine Dining: Copycat Restaurant Recipes for Every Taste! » Applebees French Onion Soup

by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated 16 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Applebees French Onion Soup is a classic French Onion soup, so flavorful and so perfect for when you want a light meal. You can recreate this recipe at home with this copycat version of Applebees French Onion Soup.

Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (1)

Table of Contents

Homemade French Onion Soup

Who doesn’t love Applebees? Applebees is a fun restaurant. At Applebees, you can find something for everyone. They have great burgers, salads, and if you enjoy a co*cktail or two, you are in luck. I love the variety of their menu.

Did you know it is fairly easy to make French Onion Soup at home? The only hard part is cooking the onions. And while it isn’t hard, it just takes a little bit of time to cook the onions slowly to allow them to caramelize.

If you have a food processor or a mandolin you can use it to help you slice the onions quickly. Most of the time I just give my knife a quick sharpen and I slice right through the onions.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Butter
  • Vegetable oil
  • White onions
  • Salt
  • Garlic
  • Low-sodium beef broth or beef bone broth
  • Beef base
  • Ground black pepper
  • Firm bread like sourdough or French bread
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Provolone cheese
Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (2)

How to Make Applebee’s French Onion Soup

  1. Heat butter and oil in a large stockpot over medium heat.
  2. Add the sliced onions and salt. Sauté the onions until they are browned. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
  3. Add garlic and cook until the garlic has become fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add beef broth, beef base, and black pepper. Taste and add more salt if needed.
  5. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes over low heat.
  6. Heat the oven to broil.
  7. Ladle soup into individual ovenproof bowls.
  8. Place a slice of bread on top of each.
  9. Top each slice with Parmesan and provolone cheese.
  10. Place under the broiler until the cheese begins to brown.
Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (3)

Recipe Notes

For this recipe, I recommend using white onions if you have them on hand. I think that white onions taste a little sweeter, so I am rather partial to them. You can use yellow onions if you desire.

One ingredient that I call for is beef base. Beef base is a paste of concentrated beef flavor. It is like a bouillon cube, but I think beef base offers more flavor. Beef base is sold near where you would find bouillon cubes.

I hope you give this recipe a try, you can make a delicious pot of French Onion Soup just like Applebees.

Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (4)

Love Applebee’s? Try these copycat recipes!

  • 19 Most Loved Applebees Recipes
  • Applebees Asian Chicken Salad
  • Applebee’s Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • Bourbon Street Steak
  • Quesadilla Burger
  • Queso Blanco

Popular Soup Recipes

  • Celery Soup Recipe
  • Clam Chowder Soup Recipe
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe
  • Original Taco Soup Recipe
  • Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
  • She Crab Soup Recipe
  • Southwest Soup
  • Soup Base

Check out more of my easy soup recipes and the best casual dining restaurant copycat recipes here on CopyKat!

Applebees French Onion Soup

LoveApplebee's French Onion Soup?Make it at home with this copycat recipe.

4.88 from 24 votes

Print Pin Rate Add to Collection

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Applebees Recipes, French Onion Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 288kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 10 cups sliced white onions 6 to 7 large onions
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic chopped
  • 10 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon beef base
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 8 slices firm bread
  • 8 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 tablespoons grated Provolone cheese or slices

Instructions

  • In a large stockpot over medium heat, heat the butter and oil.

  • Add the sliced onions and salt. Saute until the onions are browned. This will take up to 30 minutes. You want the onions to have the color of caramel. Stir frequently to prevent burning.

  • When the onions are almost fully caramelized, add the chopped garlic.

  • Cook the onion and garlic together until the garlic has become fragrant, about 2 minutes.

  • Add beef broth, beef base, and black pepper. Taste and add more salt if needed. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes over low heat.

  • To serve soup, preheat the oven to broil.

  • Ladle soup into 8 individual ovenproof bowls.

  • Place a slice of bread on top of each

  • Top each slice with 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, and provolone cheese.

  • Place under the broiler and cook until the cheese just begins to brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 1332mg | Potassium: 962mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 220IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 215mg | Iron: 1.5mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

REVEALED: Copycat Secrets for 2023

free email bonus

Yes, you CAN make it at home!I'll show you how.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Previous Post: « Arby’s Chocolate Turnovers

Next Post: Homemade Brownie Mix »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Velnita Hamlar

    Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (6)
    I’m so happy that I found you!! Getting dressed to go to apple bees everyday wasn’t cutting it for me. I love their French onion soup, and now I can make it from home in my pajamas 😋 si delish!!!! Thanks 😊

  2. Jessica

    Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (7)
    This is my first time making french onion soup and it turned out delicious!!!

    Reply

  3. JoAnn

    Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (8)
    The best ever

    Reply

  4. April Biddle

    Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (9)
    Wonderful

    Reply

  5. Noreen

    Can you use Swiss cheese rather than provolone? Just curious if there is a difference.

    Reply

    • Stephanie

      Sure you could use it, it will work just fine.

      Reply

  6. Sue Ellen McGoey

    Love this soup! Ty! I always add 2T of apple butter to my French onion soup,gives a great richness 🙂

    Reply

  7. Kelly Roach

    Hi, what kind of “firm bread” do you use? Thank you so much! I can’t wait to try the recipe. I LOVE Applebee’s french onion soup!

    Reply

    • Stephanie

      I would perhaps a ciabatta, a french bread, or something else that has some heft. I would not use white sandwich bread like Wonderbread for this. White sandwich bread may get very soggy and be disappointing quickly.

      Reply

  8. DanielDan

    Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (10)
    This soup is the best! It tasted even better the second day.

    Reply

  9. Judy

    You can double or even triple the caramelized onion recipe, just store them in a container with a tight fitting lid for up to 2 weeks. They’re great on burgers as well as other sandwiches.

    Reply

    • Stephanie

      Great idea!

      Reply

  10. Lenoria

    Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (11)
    This sounds so good, especially right now when I have “the crud” stuffy head and all that fun stuff. I would love to have a big bowl of this, I love Applebee’s French Onion Soup.

    Reply

  11. 2pots2cook

    Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (12)
    Great photos! Thank you for the idea !

    Reply

  12. Rita Hawk

    Recently came across a helpful hack that I tried for carmelizing these overnight (10-12 hrs on high- yes high) in a crock pot with just 2 T olive oil and 2 T butter. Adds to the time, but if you plan ahead, nothing easier. I always struggle with the “right” cheese to use. Love your recipes, thank you!

    Reply

    • Sue Ellen McGoey

      I do mine same! Lol

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Applebee's French Onion Soup - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you deepen the flavor of French onion soup? ›

A few sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf elevate the soup even more, but I take it a step further, adding a splash of fish sauce for complexity and depth—don't worry, it won't taste fishy—and a hit of cider vinegar to balance some of that oniony sweetness.

Why do you put baking soda in French onion soup? ›

The caramelized onions for this soup cook more quickly due to a pinch of baking soda but still have that deep, slow-cooked flavor. Topping the soup with hot, cheesy toasts prepared while the soup simmers, eliminates the need to bake the soup in specialty French onion soup bowls.

Why does my French onion soup taste weird? ›

If the onions are not cooked long enough or over low heat, they won't develop the sweet and rich flavor that is characteristic of this soup. Lack of seasoning: Seasoning is crucial in any dish, and French onion soup is no exception.

What is the difference between onion soup and French onion soup? ›

What is the Difference Between Onion Soup and French Onion Soup? French onion soup is always made with beef stock. Other onion soups can be made with chicken, vegetable, or beef stock. Additionally, French onion soup typically contains wine or sherry, which isn't typical or necessary in other onion soups.

What spices add depth to soup? ›

Herbs and sources add flavor, aroma, and intensity to the soup broth. You can pick fresh or dried herbs like basil for tomato-based soups or fresh parsley for clear broths. You may also add more spices like turmeric, ground ginger, ground paprika, or nutmeg for a touch of spice and color to your soup broth.

Why do you add flour to French onion soup? ›

Onion soup, at its very essence, is nothing more than onions and water boiled together. Period, done, finished, everything added from that point on is pure opinion. Caramelizing the onions brings out sugars, and makes a more luxurious silky and sweet soup, adding flour gently thickens and provides body.

Why do you put lemon juice in soup? ›

But as the publication explains, lemon juice adds more than just tartness. For chicken soup in particular, lemon juice balances out the more rich and savory flavors, adding an overall brightness to the taste.

Why is my French onion soup sour? ›

It might be because of the stock or that you used onions that has sour flavor such as white onions.

Can you use chicken broth instead of beef broth for French onion soup? ›

If you can't get good quality beef broth, use chicken or vegetable instead. I find that the quality of those by mainstream brands is much better than the beef stock. The beef is fine to use in things like gravy and stews, but not when it's a key ingredient like in this recipe.

Is French onion soup for the poor? ›

The story behind this famous soup

In ancient times, Romans saw it as a dish for the poor. This is due to the fact that onion cultivation was accessible to all, especially to peasants.

Why do I smell like French onion soup? ›

Bromhidrosis Result

If you're wondering why your body odor and sweat smell like onions or cheese, there's a good chance you have bromhidrosis. Most of the time, you can detect bromhidrosis from its distinct scent. Common symptoms of this condition include: Constant (but not overpowering) body odor.

What is the etiquette for eating French onion soup? ›

With such a soup, a knife is your friend, not your enemy. Using both the soup spoon and the knife, push the baked cheese against the rim of the cup or bowl and cut it gently with the knife. Once you've broken the cheese barrier, you can use the knife again to nudge bits of cheese onto the spoon.

What broth is French onion soup made of? ›

This soup traditionally is made with beef stock, though sometimes a good beef stock can be hard to come by and expensive to make. If you use boxed stock, taste it first! If you don't like the taste, don't use it. (If you cook a lot of beef or beef roasts, save the scraps and freeze them to make a stock with later.)

What ethnicity is French onion soup? ›

The classic French onion soup gets its name from its country of origin: France. After making its debut in the 18th century, it has become a national treasure. During ancient times (and still today), onions were cheap and easy to grow, and hence, readily available.

What is the bowl called for French onion soup? ›

French onion soup is traditionally served in lionhead bowls, which are deep but not very wide porcelain bowls. Here are four reasons why these bowls are perfect: Plenty of soup. Even as the bread on top starts to soak up some of the soup, there's still plenty left underneath.

How do you doctor up canned French onion soup? ›

Infusing the soup with a richer taste is as easy as quickly sauteing crushed garlic before pouring the soup in. Some soft, buttery garlic sauteed in earthy olive oil is the perfect addition to enrich canned French onion soup.

How do you make soup taste stronger? ›

Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meats or broth, and fresh herbs to add depth of flavor. Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 6032

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.