Best French Onion Soup Recipe (2024)

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This Best French Onion Soup Recipe can be made on the stove top, in your instant pot or slow cooker.

Looking for more quick and tasty soup recipes, try my Healthy Leek Soup or my homemadeSimple Mushroom Soup.

Best French Onion Soup Recipe (1)

The secret to making the Best French Onion Soup Recipe is to cook those onions real well. Then of course you want a good solid beef stock and some gruyere cheese.

I’ve also shared another French Onion soup recipe with you all a few years back now. That recipe had scallops in it, yes scallops.

That recipe is a tad fancier and was done on the stovetop and then broiled in the oven. Takes a bit longer, but is also a goodie and a bit fancier.

If you want to take a look at that recipe. See here: French Onion Soup Broiled Scallops

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BEST CHEESE FOR FRENCH ONION SOUP

Gruyere cheese is most popular however you can use Swiss, Mozzarella as well.

I was craving French onion soup as of late. And came up with this delicious recipe in my Instant Pot! Of course this can be made on the stove – top just the same.

FRENCH ONION SOUP BOWLS

Are important to have when completely this soup because your going to want to put this pre -made soup in them under the broiler for the last few mins to heat the soup and broil the cheese.

Image coming home to a warm bowl of French onion soup? But with it taking only half the time to prepare than the average French onion soup recipe, because you let the instant pot cook it?

Yup, you can have it all with this one.

BEST ONIONS FOR FRENCH ONION SOUP

Yellow onions are the best, however this soup can be made with any type of onion just not green of course. It just would not be the same!

FRENCH ONION SOUP BOWLS

Should be oven safe as you will want to place the pre-made soup in them along with the cheese and fresh scallops for baking.

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ARE FRENCH ONION SOUP BOWLS OVEN SAFE

Some are some are, so if your going to use the oven vs the microwave be certain it is oven safe or it will smash.

INSTANT POT FRENCH ONION SOUP

Recipe, and let me tell you it is WINNER!

Since it all comes together in less than 30 minutes and tastes like you have been laboring all day in the kitchen to make.

WHAT DOES FRENCH ONION SOUP TASTE LIKE

If you have ever had caramelised onions, you will know it has a sweetness to them.

Then once they are simmered in a beef or vegetable broth with spices it becomes absolutely delicious.

So follow along!

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WHAT KIND OF CHEESE IS ON FRENCH ONION SOUP

Gruyere Cheese, you can also substitutefor provolone cheese or mix the two.

I just use gruyere here and sometimes will even use some mozza if that is all I have on hand.

WHAT ARE THE BEST ONIONS FOR FRENCH ONION SOUP

You can use yellow, white or even red onions for French onion soup.

BEST WINE FOR FRENCH ONION SOUP

A dry white or red wine works best.

FRENCH ONION SOUP RED OR WHITE WINE

Traditionally, in France. This soup is made with white wine and that is because it helps bring out the beef flavor.

SUBSTITUTE FOR RED OR WHITE WINE

You can always substitute Red or White wine with Red wine vinegar, grape, pomegranate, or cranberry juice and or chicken, beef, or vegetable stock.

HOW TO MAKE FRENCH ONION SOUP INSTANT POT

There are several ways to make French onion soup.

Some people do it on the stovetop then bring it to the oven to broil it.

While others make it in their instant pot (like in this recipe) and put it either in the microwave to melt the cheese or in the oven at the last minute.

It all comes down to personal preferences.

But one thing is for certain, you want to use lots of onion and a good quality beef stock for this soup!

  • Step one: You will want to slice your onions and then add your butter and olive oil to the instant pot.
  • And turn it on simmer, once the butter has melted you will add in the onions, salt and pepper and 1 package of Knorrs onion soup mix (my secret ingredient)

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  • Step 2: Saute the onions till browned, turning often.

Now those onions are perfectly browned, baby!

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Step 3: Add in the beef broth, white or wine, bay leaf and all remaining seasonings.

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Step 4: Simmer in the instant pot on medium heat all together for 15 more minutes.

Step 5: Discard the bay leaf, then ladle the soup into bowls and top with Gruyere cheese or Swiss cheese.

Step 6: Place each individual bowl in the microwave long enough to melt the cheese.

Step 7: You can also place in the oven near the top shelf and broil these bowls (as long as the bowls are oven safe) for 2 minutes.

Step 8: Top with fresh parsley or chives and enjoy!

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If you want bread in this soup, feel free to add some croutons before the cheese.

HOW TO SERVE FRENCH ONION SOUP

Serve with croutons if desired.

This recipe will make a large pot of soup, so if you have any any leftovers “which is highly unlikely”.

Then you can enjoy it over the next few days orfreeze it as a meal prep option for another time if desired.

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CAN FRENCH ONION SOUP BE FROZEN

Yes and it even tastes better the next day. So go ahead and make a BIG old pot and save some for another day! Just make sure that you do not freeze it with croutons or the cheese.

Place those on it the day of serving it!

Notes: Keep in mind, as with all my recipes.

If you want to make more or less of this soup, simple adjust the serving size in the ingredients sectionabove and the servings will automatically adjust for you.

And save yourself time and hassle, and let your food processor chop up your beets and cabbage up.

Also it gives a great consistency to the soup.

You are going to want to jot this recipe down, it is a keeper!

IS FRENCH ONION SOUP HEALTHY

Yes, it is packed with onions which are full of antioxidants and compounds that reduce cholesterol levels.

LOOKING FOR SOME MORE AWESOME SOUP RECIPES?

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    • Gnocchi Sausage Kale Soup
    • Broiled Lasagna Soup
    • Healthy Seafood Soup
    • Thai Carrot Soup

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen.Don’t want to miss a recipe?Sign up for ourNEWSLETTERdelivered right to your inbox every Month!

Best French Onion Soup Recipe (11)

Best French Onion Soup Recipe (12)

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Can't get any better than this

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsps of Butter
  • 1 tbsp of Olive Oil
  • 3 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 package of Knorr Onion Mix
  • 2 x 900 ml Campbells Beef Stock
  • 1 cup of Gruyere or Swiss cheese
  • 1 tbsp of Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp of Thyme
  • 1 tsp of Fresh garlic or powder
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 2 tbsp of Dry White or Red Wine
  • 2 tbsp of chopped parsley or fresh chives to serve

Instructions

  1. You will want to slice your onions and then add your butter and olive oil to the instant pot. And turn it on simmer, once the butter has melted you will add in the onions, salt and pepper and 1 package of Knorrs onion soup mix (my secret ingredient)
  2. Saute the onions till browned, turning often.
  3. Add in the beef broth, white or red wine, bay leaf and all the seasonings.
  4. Simmer in the instant pot on medium heat all together for 15 more minutes.
  5. Discard the bay leaf, then ladle the soup into bowls and top with Gruyere cheese or Swiss cheese.
  6. Place each individual bowl in the microwave long enough to melt the cheese. You can also place in the oven near the top shelf and broil these bowls (as long as the bowls are oven safe) for 2 minutes.
  7. Top with fresh parsley and enjoy!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 530Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1284mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 3gSugar: 19gProtein: 28g

These calculations are based off Nutritionix

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Best French Onion Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you deepen the flavor of French onion soup? ›

A few sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf elevate the soup even more, but I take it a step further, adding a splash of fish sauce for complexity and depth—don't worry, it won't taste fishy—and a hit of cider vinegar to balance some of that oniony sweetness.

What is the difference between onion soup and French onion soup? ›

Is there a difference between onion soup and French onion soup? Onion soup usually requires a combination of a variety of onions. French onion soup is traditionally made with yellow onions. Also, French onion soup is always made with beef stock while onion soup uses any type of stock or broth.

How do you make French onion soup less bland? ›

  1. Start by reducing the broth.
  2. Simmering out some water will intensify the flavor of the broth. Once you get it to the right point, add some salt.
  3. A shot of brandy at the end helps too.
Sep 3, 2021

Why do you add flour to French onion soup? ›

Onion soup, at its very essence, is nothing more than onions and water boiled together. Period, done, finished, everything added from that point on is pure opinion. Caramelizing the onions brings out sugars, and makes a more luxurious silky and sweet soup, adding flour gently thickens and provides body.

Why does my French onion soup taste bitter? ›

Burned onions – result in bitter soup. Be careful to not burn the onions/cook them until they are too dark in color – you don't really need to cook them until they are dark brown – golden brown/light brown is enough.

Is sherry or vermouth better for French onion soup? ›

Alcohol: We use sweet vermouth (Dolin) and Lillet Blanc. You can substitute sweet vermouth with sherry (not sherry cooking wine) or brandy. Lillet Blanc is similar to dry white wine but more aromatic. Your favorite dry white wine is fine.

Is red or white wine better for French onion soup? ›

That said, French onion soup's other key ingredients are beef broth and gruyere cheese, which accounts for its utterly decadent and robust balance of sweet, creamy, and umami. For umami-rich beef dishes and ultra-creamy cheeses, red wine's complexity, fruitiness, and bitter finish are the optimal choices.

What can I use instead of dry sherry in French onion soup? ›

Substitutions for Cooking Sherry
  • Dry Vermouth. Griffin says dry vermouth is the best direct substitute for cooking sherry because it mimics the flavor of sherry better than other options without the need for extra salt. ...
  • Dry White Wine. ...
  • Chicken Stock and Lemon. ...
  • Dry Marsala. ...
  • Dry Madeira.
Feb 16, 2023

What broth is French onion soup made of? ›

What Is French Onion Soup? French onion soup, or soupe à l'oignon gratinée, is a classic French dish made with caramelized onions and beef stock or broth. The soup is topped with bread and cheese, then gratinéed to rich, gooey perfection. It's traditionally served in a ramekin or a ceramic crock with a handle.

What ethnicity is French onion soup? ›

The classic French onion soup gets its name from its country of origin: France. After making its debut in the 18th century, it has become a national treasure. During ancient times (and still today), onions were cheap and easy to grow, and hence, readily available.

Does it matter how you cut onions for French onion soup? ›

For French onion soup, it is best to slice the onions into thin, even slices. This will allow them to cook evenly and caramelize properly. You can achieve this by cutting the onion in half, placing the flat side down, and slicing it widthwise into thin slices.

Is French onion soup for the poor? ›

The story behind this famous soup

In ancient times, Romans saw it as a dish for the poor. This is due to the fact that onion cultivation was accessible to all, especially to peasants.

Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth in French onion soup? ›

It is better to use chicken or vegetable broth rather than sub-standard beef broth. Best to use low salt and add salt if required. 4. Bread - The idea with the recipe is that you can use a spoon to cut through the bread into the soup to eat it (see video).

Is the bread supposed to be soggy in French onion soup? ›

Ideally, I want the bread to absorb just enough of the soup to soften and become flavorful, but not to absorb so much liquid that it becomes a mushy and begins to disintegrate.

How to doctor up canned French onion soup? ›

Infusing the soup with a richer taste is as easy as quickly sauteing crushed garlic before pouring the soup in. Some soft, buttery garlic sauteed in earthy olive oil is the perfect addition to enrich canned French onion soup.

How do you get the depth of flavor in vegetable soup? ›

You could add red pepper chili flakes, cayenne, Herbs de Provence or curry powder for more flavors. The caramelized onions add a lot of depth to the soup but you could also add in tomato paste or even miso or soy sauce.

How do you get the depth of Flavour in vegetable soup? ›

A squeeze of citrus, a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of cream, a dusting of cheese or a good chile powder, a sprinkling of some herbs or croutons — all can take a perfectly fine soup into the realm of the delectable. Even a spiral of good olive oil to finish and some coarse sea salt can do wonders.

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