Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe (2024)

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French onion soup is a classic that you can now easily cook in your instant pot! Flavored to perfection and topped with delicious cheese this soup will warm you up on any cold winter day.

I love soups, especially during the winter! Try out this hearty beef bourguignon, this cheeseburger soup, and some delicious loaded baked potato soup. They are some of my very favorites.

Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe (1)

Easy French Onion Soup

We all know that I have a deep love for my instant pot! You can cook up just about anything in it and you can even do it without having to plan ahead! It makes delicious spaghetti or even lemon garlic chicken. You can cook this as the main entree with some salad and French baguette or cook it as a starter to any meal. It uses delicious and classic flavors in the broth and the sweet Walla Walla onions really are what make this soup SOO GOOD.

This instant pot french onion soup only takes about 35 minutes. That’s from start to finish! That’s the beauty of the instant pot. You can decide what you want for dinner at dinner time and you can still have a delicious meal! Adding in the baguette and freshly shredded cheese to the top is really what takes it to the next level and makes it feel like you are eating this at a restaurant. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Instant Pot French Onion Soup

This ingredient list is a bit lengthy but don’t let that scare you away! Once you have all of these ingredients on hand then it’s a breeze to make! You won’t regret it. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Butter: I used unsalted butter in this recipe.
  • Olive oil: You can use vegetable instead if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Sweet onions: I used medium sized Walla Walla onions.
  • Brown sugar: This really brings in a deep, sweet flavor to the soup.
  • Dry white wine: This deglazes the bottom of the pot adding in more bits of flavor to the soup! You can use extra beef broth if you prefer to use that instead.
  • Beef broth: This has a lot of protien and it adds that rich and hearty flavor to the soup.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Even if you can’t say this name, you won’t want to miss out on this in the recipe!
  • Minced garlic: Garlic is a must. I know that I love it but really, it adds a lot to the soup.
  • Bay leaves and dried thyme: These herbs really pair well with the onions and beef broth.
  • Salt and pepper: Use these to season to taste.
  • Baguette: You can buy a baguette or two or make one at home with this recipe.
  • Gruyere cheese: This cheese is a MUST for french onion soup! It’s traditional for french onion soup for a reason! Don’t substitute this.

Let’s Make Some Soup!

Instant pot French onion soup is insanely delicious, easy to make, and makes fantastic leftovers. Give this recipe a try and you will never have to count on a restaurant to make this for you again.

  1. Turn on instant pot: Select the Saute button on the instant pot.
    1. Saute onions in oil and butter: Add the butter and olive oil. As it starts to melt, add the onions and then cook them for 10-15 minutes until they start to brown and soften.
  2. Carmelize the onions: Add the brown sugar and then cook for an additional 5 minutes until the onions caramelize. Add the garlic and then stir.
  3. Saute with wine: Add the white wine and continue to sauté until the wine cooks down and is gone. Hit cancel. Try not to let the ingredients brown and burn the bottom of the pot.
  4. Add broth and seasonings: Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  5. Lock lid: Cover and lock the lid ensuring the pressure valve is on seal.
  6. Cook: Cook on high for 10 minutes.
  7. Natural release: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the steam before opening.
  8. Remove bay leaf: Remove the bay leaf. Then taste it and add additional seasonings if needed.
  9. Fill bowls: Place 6 oven safe bowls on a rimmed baking sheet and then fill each bowl evenly with soup.
  10. Add cheese and baguette: Top each bowl with 3 sliced baguette pieces, and then cover it with shredded Gruyere cheese.
  11. Broil and serve: Broil in the oven for 2-4 minutes, or until cheese is melted and it starts to brown. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn. Serve immediately!
Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe (2)

What to Serve It With

Instant pot French onion soup tastes delicious and goes with so many different meals! Here are a few things that you can serve alongside this delicious soup!

  • Salad: Soup and salad are meant to be served together! Try serving this soup with some tomato basil salad or this wedge salad. They are easy and super delicious!
  • Bread: This soup does have a delicious baguette already served on top but you can still add in some rolls or breadsticks on the side.
  • Meat: This soup is a perfect starter for any meal too! I especially love it before I have some steak, chicken or pork chops.
  • Vegetables: Try cooking up some carrots, asparagus or mashed potatoes to go along with this soup as a side. They complement each other so well!
Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe (3)

How to Store Leftovers

French onion soup makes fantastic leftovers! Here is how you can properly store and reheat it when you are ready to eat it!

  • Refrigerate: Once your french onion soup has cooled then place it in an airtight container in your fridge. It will last up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: When you are ready to eat your leftovers, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Transfer your soup into oven safe bowls. Once each bowl is filled with soup then top with the cheese and place each bowl onto a baking sheet. Cook the soup in the oven for about 15 minutes or until heated through. Enjoy!

More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

I love instant pot recipes because they only taste delicious but they are so simple and quick to make. Plus, there are recipes out there for just about everything! I saved you some time by rounding up a few more of my favorite instant pot recipes. Try these out first!

Dinner

Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Dinner

Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos

27 mins

Dinner

Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli

35 mins

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Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe (8)

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Instant Pot French Onion Soup

4.34 from 3 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

French onion soup is a classic that you can now easily cook in your instant pot! Flavored to perfection and topped with delicious cheese this soup will warm you up on any cold winter day.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Select the Saute button on the instant pot.

  • Add the butter and olive oil. As it starts to melt, add the onions and cook for 10-15 minutes until they start to brown and soften.

  • Add the brown sugar and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the onions caramelize. Add the garlic and stir.

  • Add the white wine and continue to sauté until the wine cooks down and is gone. Hit cancel. Try not to let the ingredients brown and burn the bottom of the pot.

  • Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.

  • Cover and lock the lid ensuring the pressure valve is on the seal.

  • Cook on high for 10 minutes.

  • Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the steam before opening.

  • Remove the bay leaf. Taste and add additional seasonings if needed.

  • Place 6 oven-safe bowls on a rimmed baking sheet. Fill each bowl evenly with soup.

  • Top each bowl with 3 sliced baguette pieces, and cover with shredded Gruyere cheese.

  • Broil in the oven for 2-4 minutes, or until cheese is melted and it starts to brown. Watch it carefully so it doesn't burn. Serve immediately!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 1703mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 253IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Soup

Cuisine: French

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

What is the Difference Between Onion Soup and French Onion Soup? French onion soup is always made with beef stock. Other onion soups can be made with chicken, vegetable, or beef stock. Additionally, French onion soup typically contains wine or sherry, which isn't typical or necessary in other onion soups.

How can I increase 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.

Why does French onion soup taste so good? ›

French onion soup is the ultimate comfort food. Onions get slowly cooked until sweet and caramelized, then simmered in rich broth until they're practically falling apart. To finish it off, toasted bread is added to give it that lovable crisp-gone-soggy texture and a generous amount of Gruyère cheese is melted on top.

Should you thicken French onion soup? ›

Caramelised onions aside, the rest of the soup is effortless. Get all the tasty brown stuff off the bottom of the pot by deglazing it with a touch of wine. A touch of flour to thicken the soup every so slightly, a LOT of broth, and an optional sprig of thyme and bay leaves.

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.

Why do French people eat French onion soup? ›

The Onion Soup, a traditional and warming dish

It has even become a trendy dish that tourists are eager to try to experience French gastronomy. However, onion soup is in fact not part of French people's daily meals. It was originally meant to be eaten after a family reunion in the middle of the night to cure hangovers

Why is my French onion soup so bland? ›

If you don't add enough salt, pepper, or other herbs and spices, the soup may taste bland.

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.

How do you add depth of flavor to soup? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

What's the best kind of bread to use for French onion soup? ›

Bread: I use toasted slices of French baguette rubbed with a bit of fresh garlic to make them extra delicious before adding them to my soup. It's the best! Cheese: The best cheese for French onion soup is Gruyère. It melts beautifully and tastes earthy and nutty, which works nicely with the savory soup base.

What is the etiquette for eating French onion soup? ›

With such a soup, a knife is your friend, not your enemy. Using both the soup spoon and the knife, push the baked cheese against the rim of the cup or bowl and cut it gently with the knife. Once you've broken the cheese barrier, you can use the knife again to nudge bits of cheese onto the spoon.

Why is French onion soup so expensive? ›

First, French onion soup calls for a ton of onions. While onions aren't expensive, there's a lot of labor involved in halving, peeling, and slicing 10, 12, 50, or one billion onions (I don't know how much soup you make).

How do you add depth to French onion soup? ›

Fix a bland onion soup by using supermarket broth and mild white onions, tasteless oil for sauteeing, stale plain white bread instead of croutons, and mild white cheese. Start by reducing the broth. Simmering out some water will intensify the flavor of the broth. Once you get it to the right point, add some salt.

How caramelized should onions be for French onion soup? ›

The key to good French onion soup is to cook the onions so long that they threaten to melt into a viscous, dark brown paste, à la Marmite. As has already been extensively reported in Slate, there are no shortcuts when you're caramelizing onions; it always takes at least an hour, usually longer.

Is French onion soup just called onion soup in France? ›

I'm told that French Onion Soup is called just “onion soup” in France, but to more accurately describe what we have come to know is called Soupe à l'Oignon Gratinée. Gratin is a culinary technique in which an ingredient is topped with a browned crust, often using breadcrumbs, grated cheese, egg or butter.

What are the two types of soups in French? ›

Traditionally, french soups are classified into two groups: clear soups and thick soups. The established French classifications of clear soups are bouillon and consommé.

Does Campbell's French onion soup have onions in it? ›

Campbell's® Condensed French Onion Soup is our rich combination of quality beef stock bursting with melt-in-your-mouth onions.

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