We love French onion soup when it’s made with caramelized onions, a rich beef stock, and topped with melted cheese. There are few things more comforting about a bowl of hot French onion soup on a chilly day. It warms the body as well as the soul.
A thick slice of French bread goes hand in hand with practically any type of soup. If you don’t have French bread, any good sourdough will do.
For something different, one of the following side dishes for French onion soup makes a hearty meal to warm your insides and make you feel full and satisfied all day.
Best Side Dishes For French Onion Soup
1. Braised Short Ribs
These short ribs cook on the stovetop or in the slow cooker for fall-off-the-bone flavor. The key to this dish is low and slow cooking in a Dutch oven or crockpot.
Because French onion soup is hearty in itself, you might opt for short ribs that aren’t slathered with a heavy BBQ sauce.
Related | How To Reheat Ribs
2. Roast Beef Sandwich
Try a good hot roast beef sandwich with your French onion soup.
Dip your sandwich in your soup in place of au jus for a delicious lunch or dinner meal. You can make these sandwiches with toasted bread, lettuce, tomato, and pickles if you want.
If you’re a little more adventurous, here is a recipe that uses two types of cheese and horseradish mayonnaise.
3. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Grilled cheese sandwiches have been a favorite food since childhood for many people. The toasty bread and melting cheese brings back memories of making these as an after-school snack.
For a grown-up version, use sourdough bread toasted with butter and your choice of cheddar, Colby, provolone, or mozzarella cheese. You can add a side of sliced tomato or crispy bacon to make it extra delicious.
4. Steak Sandwich
Cook your favorite steak with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little olive oil in a hot skillet until done. While your steak is resting, you can then cook onions and peppers until they are soft and the onions are translucent.
On toasted bread, top on half with mayonnaise, mustard, or horseradish sauce, and fill the other half with steak and vegetables. Serve your sandwich with a bowl of hot French onion soup.
5. Macaroni and Cheese
Besides sandwiches, pasta goes good with French onion soup as well. Homemade macaroni and cheese make a delicious change of pace from sandwiches, salads, or bread.
This recipe uses two types of cheese (cheddar and Gruyere) for the cheese sauce. It is then baked in the oven to melt the cheeses and give it a browned, crispy texture.
Related | What Goes With Mac And Cheese?
6. Citrus Salad
This citrus salad is made with mandarin oranges, grapefruit sections, avocados, radicchio, pine nuts, fennel, and mint. The salad dressing is a blend of olive oil, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and garlic.
If you don’t have the exact fruits mentioned in the recipe, you can substitute with whatever you have on hand.
7. Garlic Butter Noodles
Another quick and easy side is garlicky buttered noodles with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Pairing this recipe with your French onion soup is another favorite combination that even the kids will enjoy.
With so many good French onion soup side dishes, don’t be surprised if there are no leftovers. These ideas offer a variety of tastes for every person in the family. You’re sure to find something that appeals to everyone.
