French Onion Soup & Grilled Cheese

Feb 14

If you’re like me and you love French onion soup, but wish it had protein so you can eat it as a meal, this is the best of all the worlds. French onion soup is usually served with cheese and bread on top, so I turned this into a grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with beef that’s cook right in the soup. It’s like the best combination of grilled cheese, french onion soup, and a french dip sandwich🤤

Yield 8

Author SALUD! Team

Prep time

20 Min

Cook time

7 H & 15 M

Total time

7 H & 35 M

French Onion Soup and Grilled Cheese

Like grilled cheese and tomato soup, but the soup is French onion, and you actually get some protein

Ingredients

Beef and Soup

2 lbs chuck roast
1 T neutral oil
4 T unsalted butter
6-8 yellow onions, sliced thin
1 t sugar
1 T flour
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 c sherry
1/4 c red wine
4-6 c beef stock
3-5 sprigs of fresh thyme
salt
pepper

Grilled Cheese

Sourdough bread slices
Mayonaise
Gruyere cheese, shredded
Munster cheese slices

Instructions

Beef and Soup

Heat your neutral oil in a dutch oven over medium heat on the stove. Salt the outside of your chuck roast, and put in your hot pan to sear. Sear on all sides for 3-5 minutes until a nice crust forms.
Once all sides are seared, remove the roast and rest on a plate. Lower the heat to medium-low, then add your butter to the pan. Saute your onions with the teaspoon of sugar, caramelize low and slow. This will take about an hour. If you notice some parts are getting too dark along the way, add a little splash of water to prevent burning.
Once onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic, saute for 2 more minutes. Then sprinkle the flour, stir, and cook for 5 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the red wine and sherry, cook for 3 minutes, then add your beef stock, thyme (tied together with twine), salt and pepper, give it a good stir.
Add your chuck roast back in, the liquid should just cover your cut of beef. If it's just under, that's fine. Bring to a simmer, cover, and let cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Once your beef is tender and shreddable, remove the chuck roast and shred in a bowl with two forks. Remove the thyme bundle, and taste for more salt.

Grilled Cheese

Heat a skillet over medium to medium-low heat.
Spread a little mayo over one side of each slice of bread, per sandwhich
Toast the mayo side of your bread in the skillet. I can only fit one at a time, if you're able to do two, this will be much faster for you. Once toasted to your liking, remove, apply mayo to the non-toasted side, and build your grilled cheese on the toasted side.
I like to do a light layer of cheese, the shredded beef, and another light layer of cheese.
Then put your sandwich back in the skillet to toast the outside of each slice of bread, and melt the cheese.
Cut in half, then serve with a bowl of your french onion soup, dunking your sandwich as you go!

Notes

You can also use butter or oil to toast your bread, I just found that mayo gives the best crunch without overcooking

Nutrition Facts

Calories

407

Fat

24 g

Sat. Fat

11 g

Carbs

18 g

Fiber

2 g

Net carbs

16 g

Sugar

6 g

Protein

29 g

Sodium

519 mg

Cholesterol

101 mg

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A Unique Twist on French Onion Soup: Grilled Cheese Meets French Dip

French onion soup is a beloved classic. Its rich, caramelized onions and savory broth, topped with a gooey layer of melted cheese and a slice of crispy bread, make for an undeniably comforting dish. But what if we could take this iconic soup to the next level by combining it with another favorite—French dip sandwiches? Imagine tender, shredded chuck roast piled onto a grilled cheese sandwich, dipped into a savory, onion-laden broth. This fusion of French onion soup and French dip creates a hearty, indulgent meal that's sure to impress and satisfy.

The beauty of this dish lies in the balance of flavors and textures—sweet, caramelized onions that are both in the soup and on the sandwich, tender beef that is cooked in the soup’s savory broth, and the crispy, melty goodness of the grilled cheese. It’s comfort food taken up a notch, merging two favorites into one unforgettable dish. Let’s take a deeper dive into this combination of French onion soup and French dip sandwich, and explore why this twist is worth trying.

The Inspiration: French Onion Soup Meets French Dip

French onion soup has been around for centuries. The origins of the dish date back to Roman times, but the version we know today was popularized in France in the 18th century. Traditionally made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and topped with a crusty piece of bread and melted cheese, it has become a staple in French cuisine and beyond. It’s a warm, soothing soup that packs a punch of deep flavor thanks to the slow caramelization of onions, the richness of the beef broth, and the melting cheese.

On the other hand, the French dip sandwich is a completely different yet equally beloved dish. Its origins are debated, but the combination of tender roast beef served on a baguette, accompanied by a savory broth for dipping, has become iconic in its own right. A French dip sandwich offers a contrast of textures—crisp bread, juicy meat, and the comforting broth that takes the sandwich to the next level. The act of dipping the sandwich into the au jus elevates the flavor, soaking the bread and meat in the rich, savory broth.

So, what happens when you combine the two? You get a dish that blends the depth of French onion soup with the heartiness of a French dip sandwich. By braising chuck roast in the flavorful broth, you get melt-in-your-mouth beef that’s perfect for piling onto a grilled cheese sandwich. The best part? That sandwich is made to be dipped right back into the soup, creating a symphony of flavors that will have you coming back for more.

Cooking the Chuck Roast: The Foundation of Flavor

At the heart of this dish is the chuck roast. Chuck roast is an affordable, flavorful cut of beef that becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked in a liquid. It’s the perfect cut for braising, as it can hold up to hours of cooking without drying out. As the roast cooks in the French onion soup broth, it absorbs all the rich flavors from the onions, herbs, and spices, making the meat incredibly savory and flavorful.

The process begins by browning the chuck roast to develop a deep, caramelized crust. This step adds a layer of complexity to the flavor, giving the beef a roasted, umami-packed taste. After browning, the roast is added to the simmering French onion soup broth, where it slowly cooks to perfection. Over time, the meat becomes so tender that it can be shredded with a fork—perfect for piling onto your grilled cheese.

Cooking the chuck roast in the same broth that forms the base of the soup is crucial to creating a cohesive flavor profile. As the meat cooks, it releases its juices into the broth, enriching the soup with its savory depth. This ensures that every element of the dish—soup, beef, and sandwich—carries the same comforting, hearty flavor.

The Grilled Cheese: A Perfect Pairing with the Soup

Now, let’s talk about the sandwich. A French dip is traditionally served on a crusty baguette, but we’re taking a more familiar approach with a grilled cheese sandwich. This choice brings an extra layer of indulgence, as the buttery, crispy exterior of the sandwich complements the tender, savory beef and the rich, aromatic soup. The gooey melted cheese inside the sandwich adds an extra element of comfort, making each bite a satisfying balance of textures and flavors.

Choosing the right bread is key. A thick, sturdy bread like sourdough or country white is ideal because it can stand up to the broth without falling apart too quickly. The bread is buttered and grilled to a golden crisp, allowing the cheese inside to melt perfectly. The cheese selection is also important—it should melt well and provide a nice contrast to the savory beef. Gruyère, Swiss, or a combination of sharp cheddar and provolone work wonderfully in this dish, offering both creaminess and a bit of tang that complements the beef.

The grilled cheese acts as a vessel for the tender, shredded chuck roast, adding a layer of crunch and richness to the soup. The combination of the savory beef, melted cheese, and crisp bread creates a sandwich that’s indulgent enough to stand on its own, but when dipped into the broth, it becomes an entirely new experience.

Dipping: The Heart of the Dish

The true magic of this dish happens when the grilled cheese meets the broth. Just like a French dip sandwich, this dish is all about the joy of dipping. As the crispy, cheesy sandwich is dunked into the rich, oniony broth, the bread soaks up the liquid, infusing the sandwich with the savory flavors of the soup. The beef, already tender and juicy, becomes even more flavorful as it absorbs the broth, while the cheese melts further into the sandwich, creating a creamy, decadent bite.

Dipping the grilled cheese into the French onion soup not only enhances the flavor but also adds an interactive element to the meal. It’s a fun, satisfying way to enjoy the dish and allows you to control how much broth you want with each bite. The warmth of the broth seeps into the sandwich, making each dip feel like a comforting embrace.

The Joy of Combining French Onion Soup and French Dip

What makes this dish so irresistible is its ability to combine two beloved comfort foods in a way that enhances both. The French onion soup offers the savory, aromatic base, while the French dip sandwich brings heartiness and depth. Together, they create a meal that’s both satisfying and comforting, with every bite bringing together the best of both worlds.

The combination of tender chuck roast, caramelized onions, gooey cheese, and crusty bread makes for a meal that’s not only rich in flavor but also in texture. The contrast of the crispy sandwich and the tender, juicy meat creates a satisfying experience with every dip. It’s the perfect dish for a cozy evening or for when you want to impress your family and friends with something unique and delicious.

Conclusion: A Twist on Two Classics

This French onion soup meets French dip sandwich with a grilled cheese twist is a perfect example of how two classics can come together to create something even more extraordinary. The tender, flavorful chuck roast, slow-cooked in the soup’s broth, is the heart of this dish, while the grilled cheese sandwich adds richness and texture. When dipped into the broth, it becomes an indulgent experience that is both comforting and delicious.

Whether you’re a fan of French onion soup, French dip sandwiches, or grilled cheese, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings and then some. It’s a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying meal that brings together the best of both worlds, making it a perfect addition to your comfort food repertoire. So next time you’re in the mood for something indulgent, give this unique twist on French onion soup and French dip a try—it’s a dish that’s as delicious as it is unforgettable.

Salud! Team