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Basler Mehlsuppe

Slowly toasted flour stirred into broth and crowned with cheese — Basel’s ancient, deeply savory soup.

⏱ 10 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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A humble but surprisingly elegant soup built from flour slowly toasted in butter until deep and nutty, then whisked into broth with onion and a whisper of spice. It is brown, warming, and intensely savory.

Served as a traditional starter in Basel—often ladled over a slice of dried bread and topped with grated cheese—it proves that great cooking can begin with the simplest pantry staples.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Melt the butter in a heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until it turns a deep golden brown and smells nutty, 8–10 minutes. Do not let it burn.
  2. Add the onion and cook 2 minutes more. Slowly whisk in the beef broth until smooth.
  3. Add the caraway, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently 20 minutes, whisking now and then.
  4. Ladle the soup over the bread slices in warm bowls and top each with grated Gruyère before serving.

💡 Chef tips & storage

The browned flour is the soul of this soup—cook it patiently to a rich, deep color without scorching. Serve with Basler Läckerli for the full Basel experience.

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Recipe details

Prep10 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →