Slow Cooker French Onion Soup #FantasticalFoodFight #FoodnFlix

Today’s recipe is doing double duty!

Today is this month’s Fantastical Food Fight, a themed group hosted by Sarah at a Fantastical Sharing of Recipes, where participants all cook up variations of a recipe type.  In the past we’ve done Deviled Eggs and Shortbread.  This month is all about the Slow Cooker Soups!

I’m also submitting this recipe to this month’s Food &Flix!  In Food ‘n Flix, participants watch the selected movie and then whip up something delicious inspired by the film.  This month’s flick is a rom-com, French Kiss, hosted by Heather, the founder of Food ‘n Flix!

It was fun to rewatch this movie with my foodie goggles on!  I’d seen it once, years ago and really enjoyed the movie, so I was excited to watch it again (Hubs was excited too!  His mom loves this movie, so he’s seen the movie a bunch of times too!)

There was surprisingly less food in the movie than I expected (or maybe we just missed it?)  There were mentions of pizza, plenty of wine, cheeses (*snerk* lactose intolerance!!), and a large dessert tray.  I almost went with some sort of crostini with cheese.

But then I was already planning to make my French Onion soup for Slow Cooker Soups and decided it was meant to be!

I’m not usually a slow cooker soup sort of person.  I usually make slow cooker roasts (maybe I’m stuck in a rut).  Anyhow, it was finally time to break the mold!

I was a bit skeptical about caramelizing the onions in the slow cooker, but I decided to give it a try.  The onions cook and caramelize all night long (and entire 12 hours!!)  Then, the remaining ingredients are added in the morning and the soup cooks all day long too!  Then after nearly 24 hours of cooking the soup is ready!

It seems a little intense cooking all night and all day, but there is almost no hands on time and the soup is amazing.

I feel like there’s a bit more depth of flavor in the stovetop version, but if you’re short on time and a fan of the slow cooker, this is definitely the way to go!

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

Adapted slightly from The Kitchn’

3 lbs yellow onions

2 tbsp butter, melted

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt & pepper

1 ½ tbsp. balsamic vinegar

¼ cup dry red wine (I used a Cabernet)

10 cups beef broth

1 loaf soft & chewy Italian bread, sliced

Butter

Garlic powder

Sliced provolone cheese

Peel the onions and cut in half.  Slice the onions into thin slices and place into the slow cooker.  Add the butter and olive oil, and stir to coat.  Season liberally with salt and pepper.

Cover and cook on low for 12 hours (overnight works best).

In the morning, add the beef broth, balsamic vinegar, and wine.  Stir, cover, and cook on low for another 8-10 hours.

To serve, season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

Butter both sides of the bread and season lightly with garlic powder.

Place the bread on a baking sheet and place under the broiler.  Cook for 1 minute or until toasted.  Flip the bread and top with cheese slices.  Broil for an additional minute or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the cheesy toast.  Serve immediately.

Serves 8

Want More?  Try These:

French Onion Soup Meatballs

French Onion Chicken & Rice

French Onion Soup in Homemade Bread Bowls

And don't forget these other amazing slow cooker soup recipes:

An InLinkz Link-up