🧅 French Onion Baked Potatoes
🕒 Total Time: ~1 hour 20 minutes
Serves: 4
✨ Ingredients:
For the Potatoes:
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4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed
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Olive oil
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Salt
For the French Onion Filling:
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
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1/2 teaspoon sugar
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried)
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1/4 cup dry white wine or beef broth
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1/2 cup beef broth (or veggie for vegetarian option)
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1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss as a backup)
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Optional: sour cream for topping
🔪 Instructions:
1. Bake the Potatoes
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Rub potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
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Place directly on oven rack and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until fork-tender.
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Let cool slightly, then cut a slit down the middle and gently fluff the insides with a fork.
2. Caramelize the Onions
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In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium-low heat.
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Add sliced onions, salt, pepper, and sugar.
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Cook slowly for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply golden and soft.
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Add thyme and garlic; cook 1–2 minutes more.
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Deglaze with wine (or broth), scraping up any browned bits.
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Add 1/2 cup beef broth and simmer until thickened (5 minutes).
3. Assemble the Potatoes
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Preheat broiler (or keep oven at 400°F if not broiling).
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Spoon the onion mixture into the baked potatoes.
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Top each potato with a generous handful of shredded Gruyère.
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Broil for 2–3 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly (or bake for 10 minutes).
4. Garnish & Serve
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Sprinkle with extra thyme or chives if desired.
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Serve with a dollop of sour cream for creaminess (optional).
🔁 Variations:
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Make it vegetarian: Use veggie broth instead of beef.
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Add protein: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked steak bites with the onions.
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Use sweet onions: For a milder flavor.