French onion soup is rich, savory, and comforting. With caramelized onions, herbs like sage and thyme, and its classic melted Gruyère topping, it deserves side dishes that are just as special.

To find the best side dish, consider the soup’s bold flavors and how they warm you up on a cold day. We’ve tried various pairings and selected 20 sides that pair perfectly with French onion soup.

20 Perfect Sides for French Onion Soup

These sides encompass a range from light salads to hearty sandwiches. Some are simple, while others can turn your soup into a full meal. Review the list and select your favorites. You might even want to try a few!

1. Buffalo Chicken Panini

Our Simple Green Moms buffalo chicken panini adds bold, spicy flavor that goes well with French onion soup. The feta cheese melts between the bread and matches the gooey Gruyère on your soup.

Serve it hot from the panini press, or cook it in a sauté pan and press down to melt the bread and cheese together.

2. Arugula Salad

This easy arugula salad from Foodie Crush is a light and fresh side dish for rich French onion soup. (Easy Arugula Salad, n.d.) The peppery arugula complements the soup’s flavors, and a homemade lemon vinaigrette adds a bright, fresh touch.

You only need fresh arugula and grated Parmesan cheese. Simple, quick, and delicious.

3. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

A classic grilled cheese from Spend With Pennies is comfort food at its finest. That crispy, golden bread and melted cheese make it an ideal companion for French onion soup—dunk it right in!

The secret? Spread mayonnaise on the bread before grilling for extra crispiness and golden color.

4. French Bread

Homemade French bread from Lil Luna takes about three hours from start to finish, but it’s worth the effort. The dough needs to be mixed, rise, knead, rise again, and shape before baking. Don’t let that scare you—making bread can be fun!

Slice it thin and serve with softened butter, or use it as the bread topping for your soup.

5. Roasted Vegetables

Chelsea’s Messy Apron has a great recipe for roasted vegetables that adds both nutrition and flavor. (Lords & Chelsea, 2022) Toss Brussels sprouts, potatoes, carrots, and red onions with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast until tender.

Feel free to add butternut squash, zucchini, or yellow squash for even more variety.

6. Citrus Salad

Feasting at Home’s citrus salad with dates is a bright and unique treat. It mixes blood oranges, Valencia oranges, and grapefruit with red onions, baby arugula, and shredded coconut.

Add chopped pecans or almonds for crunch, and sprinkle some feta on top for a salty finish.

7. Seared New York Strip Steak

Make your soup a full meal by adding a perfectly seared New York strip, courtesy of Damn Delicious. (Classic French Onion Soup, 2025) The steak is seasoned with garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper, which match the spices in your soup.

Preheat your grill for the best results. You can also use filet mignon, T-bone, or flank steak with this recipe.

8. Grilled Chicken Pesto Panini

Cooking Canuk’s grilled chicken pesto panini is filling enough for a full meal. (Michalski & Dara, 2010) The chicken is marinated in red pepper pesto, which gives it a bold basil flavor and a hint of sweet heat.

Try Gruyère cheese to match the cheese in your soup.

9. French Fried Potatoes

Stay Snatched’s air fryer French fries are crispy, golden, and healthier than regular fries. Thinly slice russet potatoes, toss them with a little olive oil, and air-fry until they’re perfect.

Soup and fries are always a great match!

10. Spinach Salad

Our Simple Green Moms spinach salad is a light and healthy option. Baby spinach’s mild sweetness goes well with strawberries, and you can top it with feta cheese, or use Parmesan or mozzarella if you prefer.

11. Dark Chocolate Cake

If you enjoy rich desserts, Sally’s Baking Addiction’s dark chocolate cake is a great way to end your meal. Espresso powder intensifies the chocolate flavor, making it the perfect complement to savory French onion soup.

12. Baked Salmon

Natasha’s Kitchen’s baked salmon is both easy and impressive. Brush salmon fillets with a mix of Dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, and garlic, then bake until tender.

The fresh, lemony flavors are a perfect balance to the richness of French onion soup.

13. Lemon Flounder

Recipe Tin Eats’ lemon flounder is cooked in one pan, making cleanup easy. The bright lemon cream sauce goes really well with French onion soup.

Add a splash of white wine to the sauce to bring the flavors together even more.

14. Balsamic Pasta

Gimme Some Oven’s balsamic pasta is simple, tasty, and full of vegetables. Balsamic vinegar adds a lot of flavor without needing a heavy cheese sauce, as your soup already has plenty of cheese.

Serve it with crusty bread for a perfect finishing touch.

15. Garlic Seared Scallops

Cafe Delites’ garlic-seared scallops are elegant and quick to make. Sauté them in butter and lemon sauce for just 2-3 minutes per side. Watch closely so they don’t overcook!

Try using chicken broth instead of wine for a richer sauce that complements the soup well.

16. Baked Potato Slices

The Cozy Cook’s baked potato slices make a great appetizer or side dish. Bake russet potatoes, slice them, and top with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon.

Dip them in sour cream or cream cheese for an extra flavor boost.

17. Pull-Apart Cheese Bread

Little Spoon Farm’s pull-apart cheese bread is both fun and indulgent. Slice a large loaf and fill it with Parmesan, mozzarella, parsley, garlic powder, and butter.

Tear off a piece and dip it into your soup!

18. Baked Asparagus

Simple Green Moms’ roasted asparagus is a healthy and easy option. It takes just 2 minutes to prep and only a few minutes in the oven.

Use lemon juice instead of lime for a flavor that goes better with French onion soup.

19. Homemade Pasta

Self-Proclaimed Foodie’s homemade pasta is easier to make than you might think. The dough comes together fast and is ready to roll and cut right away.

You can keep it simple with just butter and cheese, or create a French-inspired pasta dish to accompany your soup.

20. Stuffed Mushrooms

Love and Lemons’ stuffed mushrooms are a great appetizer. Hollow out baby portobello mushrooms and fill them with breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, garlic, pine nuts, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Serve them with a glass of red wine or Pinot Blanc to finish your dinner.

Find Your Perfect Pairing

Whether you want something light and fresh or hearty and filling, these 20 sides will make your French onion soup even better. Try one or a few, and let us know which one you like best!