French Onion Soup Day

French onion soup, or soupe à l’oignon, is celebrated today with International French Onion Soup Day. Onion soups date back thousands of years, but French onion soup as we know it today dates to the mid-nineteenth century, when it was served at restaurants around Les Halles, Paris's large food and flower market, including at La Poule au Pot, Chez Baratte, and Au Pied de Cochon. It was topped with grated cheese and served au gratin. It had a wide range of adherents, from workers who transported goods at Les Halles who ate it for breakfast, to late-night revelers who ate it to stave off hangovers. After gaining popularity around France, chefs brought it to the United States.

French onion soup is made by sautéeing onions, usually in butter or oil, until they are softened and caramelized. The onions are then cooked in meat stock, such as beef stock, or water. French onion soup is usually gratinéed with croutons or a piece of bread with melted cheese. Gruyère, Emmental, or Comté are some of the most common cheeses.

How to Observe French Onion Soup Day

Enjoy French onion soup! While having it at a restaurant in Paris would be ideal, having it at a French restaurant near you is another great option. French onion soup appears on menus at a number of other types of restaurants. You could also make French onion soup at home. Make sure to share pictures of your French onion soup and tell others how you are celebrating.

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