French Onion Beans

Creamy white beans plus the flavors of French onion soup.

By
Stephanie A Ganz
Stephanie A Ganz
Stephanie A Ganz
Stephanie Ganz has been writing professionally for 10 years and is a regular contributor to Richmond Magazine and Virginia Living. She has also written for Bon Appetit, Eater, The Kitchn, and The Local Palate.
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Updated January 29, 2025
Stephanie A Ganz
A cast iron skillet with nicely browned baked french onion beans

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

I’ve never been to France, but I’ve eaten so many bowls of French onion soup in my life that I could practically qualify for citizenship. The combination of sweet caramelized onions with rich, savory beef stock, along with that delectable crown of toasty bread and melty cheese, is exactly what I dream of when I want something that’s both comforting and chic. 

The French onion flavor profile is well-loved, with dozens of recipes riffing on the classic combination. So why not give beans the French onion treatment? 

The result is an instant classic, whether it’s served as a main dish next to a big butter lettuce salad or as a side dish cozied up to roasted chicken. 

Tips for Making Creamy French Onion Beans

  • Use a sturdy white bean, like cannellini or great northern beans. You want the beans to maintain their structural integrity.
  • To make this dish vegetarian, swap a vegetarian stock for the beef stock, and use coconut aminos instead of Worcestershire sauce.
  • I developed this recipe to be quick and dinner-friendly, so I added a bit of sugar to speed up the onion caramelization; if you have more time, skip the added sugar and let your onions caramelize slowly, ideally for about 30 minutes.

Storing and Freezing French Onion Beans

Let beans cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months, but please be aware that the texture may change.

A closeup of baked french onion beans in a cast iron skillet

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

French Onion Madness

French Onion Beans

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 27 mins
Total Time 37 mins
Servings 4 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

  • 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup beef stock

  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme

  • 1 (15.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained but not rinsed

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 cup (about 2.25 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Method

  1. Caramelize the onions:

    Heat the oil in a 10 to 11-inch cast iron or other oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté for 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the granulated sugar and stir. Turn the heat to medium-low and allow the onions to caramelize until they develop a tawny brown color and sweet fragrance, about 15 minutes. 

    Keep an eye on the pan, stirring often. As the onions start to brown, slowly stir the onions continuously until they are done. Add a tablespoon of water, as needed, if the onions start to stick or brown too quickly.

  2. Preheat the broiler on high.

    Place a rack about 6 inches away from the heat.

  3. Create the sauce:

    Add the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh thyme, and increase the heat to medium. Simmer and reduce the liquid by nearly half, about 4 minutes. Add the cannellini beans and pepper and stir to combine. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to come together. Taste, adding more salt if needed.

  4. Broil:

    Meanwhile, combine the breadcrumbs and butter in a small mixing bowl and toss.

    Remove the sprigs of thyme from the pan. Top the pan of beans evenly with the cheese followed by the panko mixture, covering the entire surface. Pop the pan under the broiler and cook until the cheese is melted and the breadcrumbs are crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Keep a careful watch so the topping doesn’t burn. 

    Carefully remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
356 Calories
16g Fat
40g Carbs
14g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 356
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 21%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 33mg 11%
Sodium 979mg 43%
Total Carbohydrate 40g 14%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 6mg 30%
Calcium 280mg 22%
Iron 4mg 21%
Potassium 528mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.