Perfect Pairings: 15 BEST Side Dishes for French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a flavorful and warming dish that’s been around since the Middle Ages.

This recipe includes both onions, bacon or ham hocks, salt pork cubes, carrots, and celery to add sweetness and thyme for herbaceous notes.

The broth of this dish also usually contains some kind of red wine like Bordeaux, which gives it an authentic flavor profile.

It is a classic dish that many people enjoy.

It can be served by itself or with some bread and cheese.

However, it also goes great with a side dish.

There are so many options out there to serve with french onion soup that we could not just pick one to share in this blog post.

So instead, we put together 15 recipes for you to try.

What to Serve with French Onion Soup? 15 BEST Side Dishes

French Onion Soup is a traditional dish from France.

Primarily known as the main course, the soup is served with croutons and cheese on top.

But what about side dishes?

A French Onion Soup recipe will usually call for beef stock or chicken broth to be boiled together with onions before adding other ingredients such as garlic, thyme, sugar, salt, and pepper.

The soup can take anywhere from 40 minutes up to three hours, depending on how much high-quality liquid you put into it during cooking.

The following list will provide some great examples of what you could serve alongside your meal:.

List out the side dishes ideas for french onion soup:.

1 – Cheese and Crackers

If you’re looking for a simple yet elegant appetizer that will complement your French onion soup, look no further than cheese and crackers.

It might seem like an unlikely pairing at first, but it turns out cheese and crackers are perfect accompaniments.

The richness of melted cheese balances nicely against the lightness of fresh-baked saltine or soda cracker – even adding another layer to this savory experience.

So why not give your guests something more than just chunks of bread?

2 – Baked Potato with Sour Cream and Chives

There are several ways to keep your guests happy when the French onion soup is served.

One way is to serve baked potatoes with sour cream and chives on top, which can help mitigate some of that classic bloaty feeling after eating rich foods like this dish.

They also provide an excellent base of carbs to keep your energy steady.

Toss potato skins on top of the dish, and you have an extra layer of flavor in every bite.

3 – Steamed Carrots with Crumbled Bacon

The humble carrot has become one of the most popular vegetables on earth.

This is because there are so many delicious dishes you can make with them; they’re sweet enough for desserts but hearty enough to stand up against rich meat sauces like beef bourguignon too.

And now it’s time to get creative: here’s how I enjoy carrots almost every day when I feel peckish at work – by giving my new favorite ingredient quick steam then tossing them in a light vinaigrette and some crumbled bacon for flavor.

4 – Sautéed Mushrooms

Mushrooms are so versatile: sweet, earthy, meaty – they’re perfect with almost anything.

I like to keep my mushrooms on the mild side because any intense flavors might overpower other dishes that follow in this meal plan.

To make these sautéed mushrooms taste even better than you think they can, try adding minced rosemary or thyme after cooking them down until wilted.

That’ll give every bite of just cooked mushroom a burst of fragrant herbiness as well as add depth and complexity to their already robust umami profile.

5 – Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

Hey, it’s your favorite broccoli.

Who doesn’t love a plate of this dish? It has all the nutrients you need to be healthy and strong.

Don’t forget that cheese sauce, though–it makes everything taste better.

I recommend using fresh or frozen cauliflower in place of the conventional “broccoli” for an equally delicious meal.

6 – Garlic Breadsticks or Fresh Baguettes

Ever wonder why so many people love garlic breadsticks or fresh baguettes? These are two of the most popular sides for dinner, whether you’re a fan of it with your lasagna and pizza, as an appetizer to start with before all the heavy dishes come out on Thanksgiving Day—or even if you like eating them plain.

I’ll tell you what’s up: these tasty treats get their flavor from using yeast dough topped with buttery melted cheese (like mozzarella), then sprinkled generously in minced raw garlic cloves mixed in oil until they become golden browned bits at just under 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is no denying that this combination smells heavenly when it starts baking away into a crispy perfection alongside any dish that needs a little zing.

7 – Bread and Butter Pickles

Bread and butter pickles are a great side dish to accompany your soup.

They provide the right amount of sweet, tart flavor that hits the spot on cold winter days or when you need something refreshing with heavier dishes.

The vinegar in these pickles makes them an excellent accompaniment to salty soups like French onion soup.

8 – Caesar Salad

You might be surprised to learn that Caesar Salad can serve as a side dish for French Onion Soup.

It is delicious and adds the perfect touch to this classic recipe.

To make a Caesar salad, you need first to prepare the ingredients.

For example, gather some fresh lettuce and freshly ground pepper.

Next, add grated Parmesan cheese and chopped eggs that have been mixed with mayonnaise or sour cream, then season with salt (or anchovy paste) as desired before adding crumbled bacon in the last step of the preparation process.

9 – Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

We’re always looking for more ways to tantalize our taste buds.

Here are a few reasons why you should add fruit salad with honey-lime dressing as a side dish for French onion soup:.

Fruit is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium.

It’s also full of natural sugars, so it will help balance out the saltiness from your French onion soup – which can be hard on your teeth if consumed too much throughout an evening meal.

This lightened-up dish has all the crunchy freshness that’ll make this meal even better than before.

10 – Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

A great way to spice up your soup is with some baked Parmesan tomatoes.

This recipe takes only 15 minutes and can be served as a side dish or eaten independently.

To make the best tomato for this recipe, you should start by slicing in half lengthwise.

Next, place the halves cut-side down onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Brush each of these segments generously with olive oil before sprinkling chopped garlic over the top, along with freshly grated parmesan cheese and salt (optional).

Bake them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until they are slightly browned around the edges, usually taking about 10-15 minutes.

The result is a rich and flavorful baked Parmesan tomato that is perfect for your French onion soup.

11 – Buttered Noodles

Buttered noodles are a classic dish to serve with a French onion soup.

The noodles absorb the broth and savory flavor of this comfort food while still slightly crisp in texture from frying them on both sides.

Boil some salted water for pasta, preferably egg noodles or another smallish-shaped noodle-like vermicelli or fettuccine, as they will be easier to eat by hand (and show off).

Add butter at the same time you add your garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a rich sauce that coats each strand of pasta so it can also act as an appetizer before diving into your bowlful of french onion goodness.

12 – Cheese Plate

Cheese plates are a great way to add flavor and variety to your soup.

The cheese pairs well with the onion soup base, enhancing its flavors, creating an exciting twist on this classic dish.

It also helps to keep you from feeling like your eating the same thing over and over.

The best cheeses for this dish also have many flavors – think brie, cheddar, or blue cheese.

If you are serving more than one type of cheese on your plate, add nuts such as walnuts or pine nuts with them, too, so there is something crunchy in every bite.

Why not try adding some of these ingredients? For example, chives or other fresh herbs; quince jelly for sweetness and tanginess; cured meat like prosciutto ham with peach preserves mixed in as it melts into the bowl.

13 – Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are becoming a popular side dish for French onion soup.

You can roast them with onions, garlic, and olive oil to make them have the same flavor as other dishes that accompany your meal, such as mashed potatoes or rice pilaf.

The technique is simple- put all of these ingredients in an ovenproof pan together at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they’re soft when pierced with a fork for about 35 minutes, then serve on top of the soup.

This vegetable roasting method will take you about 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect if you need something easy but delicious to round out your holiday meals.

14 – Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

In France, cheese is a staple in the diet, and it’s often eaten with an onion soup.

You don’t have to be French or know how to speak French fluently to enjoy this combination of rich onions followed by melted cheese on crusty bread.

This recipe requires buttered slices of bread, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, butter in a pan on medium heat.

The steps are simple- melt the butter, add one slice of bread to each side and cook until golden brown, about two minutes per side.

One sandwich will feed four people, so this makes it an easy way to get your kids involved, too, by letting them put together their creations, which they’ll love doing.

15 – Arugula Salad with Italian Dressing

Arugula salad is a great side dish to have with French onion soup, and it’s incredibly delicious when paired with Italian dressing.

The critical ingredient for this type of recipe is arugula, which you can find in most grocery stores or farmer’s markets.

When picking out fresh ingredients like tomatoes and parsley, make sure they are ripe but not too soft (a good way to tell if the tomato has gone bad).

And don’t forget about garlic.

It adds that needed touch of spice without being overwhelming.

The dressing for this recipe is also simple and can be made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, or honey to taste (start with a little bit of the first three ingredients), salt and pepper.

The main idea here is to keep it light so that it doesn’t overwhelm your palate while enjoying your French onion soup.

Conclusion

The best dishes for serving with French onion soup are the ones that make it taste good.

Consider trying these side dishes to serve up alongside your pot of savory soup on a chilly evening when you need some comfort food.

You’ll find everything from simple, healthy sides like steamed veggies to grilled bread and butter.

If you have a favorite recipe not included in the roundup, we’d love for you to share it below.

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