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If you could use a little something to snuggle up next to the fireplace with, this French Onion Soup for Two is for you.

French onion soup for two in two bowls with spoon on side.

You’re either an onion lover or you’re not, and I cannot help you if you’re not. I would probably ask you for a list of your savory favorite foods, and then point out how onions contribute to their flavors to convince you. But if that failed, I would just eat both bowls of this French onion soup for two and move on.

I am the luckiest girl in the world to say that I have eaten French onion soup in Paris. At a small diner with my husband, preceded with a bowl of fresh radishes and salted butter, and punctuated by a glass of chilled rosé wine, I was served a bowl of French onion soup. I moaned and everyone in the tiny restaurant looked at me, but I have no regrets.

Bowl of French onion soup with spoon removing a scoop.

My version of French onion soup for two contains Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and brandy to mimic that perfect bowl on a fall day in Paris. You’re going to love it!

Ingredients

Bowls of sliced veggies, broth, sauce, and sliced bread.

Butter. Three tablespoons of unsalted butter for sautéing our onions.
Onions. Two medium yellow or white (non-sweet) onions, peeled and thinly sliced. You can slice them into whole rings or half moons, your choice.
Sugar. The secret to getting onions to caramelize in just 30 minutes is to use just a pinch of sugar, 1 teaspoon, to be exact.
Brandy. Two tablespoons of brandy for deglazing the pan when the onions are done caramelizing. If you don’t have brandy, you can use white wine, whiskey, or cognac. If you don’t want to cook with alcohol, simply use an additional two tablespoons of beef broth.
Flour. One tablespoon of flour thickens this soup ever so slightly–not too much nor too little.
Beef Broth. Traditionally, French onion soup for two is made with beef broth, 2.5 cups is what you need. However, I have made this soup with chicken and vegetable broth successfully, if that fits your dietary needs.
Soy Sauce. Two teaspoons of soy sauce, both for its umami and saltiness.
Worcestershire Sauce. Using two teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce in this recipe brings a savoriness that you will miss without it!
Salt and Pepper. I’ll have you taste the soup and add salt and pepper at the very end. Both the beef broth and soy have lots of salt. Overall, if the soup tastes too sweet for you, it needs 1/2 teaspoon of salt!
French Bread. The best topping is a few slices of toasted French bread. It soaks up the broth and becomes wonderful soggy croutons (in the best way possible).
Gruyere Cheese. Gruyere cheese is used for its nuttiness, but because it can be expensive, Swiss cheese is just fine, too!

How to Make French Onion Soup for Two Tutorial

Sliced onion rings cooking in butter in a white pot.

Flour sprinkled over caramelized vegetables in a pot.

First, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan (I like an enamel-coated cast iron pan for even heat distribution). Add the onions, sugar, and cook. Cook the onions over medium heat, stirring every 10 minutes until caramelize brown. This will take between 25-30 minutes.

Next, lower the heat slightly and whisk in the flour. Cook for one minute.

Hand pouring brown soy sauce into a brown soup.

Pour in the beef broth, and soy sauce, and stir to combine.

Finally, add the Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer and let cook for about 10 minutes. Taste, and then add salt and pepper, to your liking.

Two bowls of French onion soup with sliced bread on top.

Two bowls of soup with grated white cheese on top.

Top each bowl with the toasted bread.

Add the cheese, and melt in the oven (if your bowls are oven safe) or in the microwave. Serve immediately.

French onion soup for two in two crocks.

You might also like my French Onion Chicken recipe, if you’re looking for a higher protein option!