Forget the stuff in a can. When it comes to French onion soup, a few easy tips will yield amazing results every time.

Traditional French onion soup is a pile of sliced onions, gently sautéed to a golden brown, swimming in a savory broth. Generously topped with toasted bread and cheese, it's a decadent meal in a single bowl.

1. Use sweet onions.

Yellow onions will work, but sweet onions like Vidalia end up melting down into a delicate soup that isn't too strong. Unless you crave a strong onion-y bite, these should be the onions you reach for when you make this dish.

If you can't find good sweet onions near you, yellow, then white would be acceptable substitutes—in that order.

2. Go low and slow.

You can't rush good caramelized onions. If your recipe calls for anything less than 20-30 minutes of slow cooking, look for a different recipe. I love this one from YouTuber Laura's Kitchen.

3. Get a good baguette.

The croutons on top of good French onion soup has to stand up to the cheese being broiled on top without falling apart. You should have to work at breaking it apart in the broth, so you still have a touch of crunch in each mouthful.

4. Don't skimp on the cheese.

The topping is just as important as the soup, so find a good Gruyère or shredded Gruyère/Swiss mix. The nutty flavor of these semi-soft cheeses is an integral part to the final product. Since the main ingredient is the humble onion, you can afford to splurge on the cheese.

Last but not least, don't shy away from making your own French onion soup if you don't have those cute little handled crocks. You can use any oven-safe bowls or even Pyrex in a pinch.

Is French onion soup one of your favorite dishes? Whose recipe do you use? Share it with us in the comments.