French Onion Soup Recipe – With Vegan Alternative

Hey there, friends! Are you ready to dive into the delicious world of French onion soup? This classic dish has been a favorite of mine for years, and I can’t wait to share it with you. This recipe is ideal for beginners and we have heaps of tips and advice so that even the most novice of cooks can create a wonderful bowl of this tasty soup 🙂

Now, I know that some of you may be vegan, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! This recipe has a vegan alternative that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

First, let’s talk about the star of the show: the onions. We’ll be caramelizing them to perfection, giving them a depth of sweetness that will make your mouth water. And don’t worry if you’re new to this recipe, I’ll be giving you some tips and tricks along the way to make sure that your French onion soup turns out perfectly.

Once the onions are caramelized, we’ll add in some flavorful broth and let it simmer to perfection. And for my vegan friends, we’ll use a vegan broth and cheese alternative to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the deliciousness.

So, grab your apron, sharpen your knives, and let’s get cooking! Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Ingredients and Instructions for French Onion Soup

Here’s a vegetarian French onion soup recipe that includes dairy. See the vegan version below:

Ingredients:

• 4 large onions, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 cups of vegetable, beef or chicken broth (depending on your preference)
• 1 cup of water
• 2 tbsp of butter
• 1 tsp of thyme
• 1 tbsp of flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Croutons or bread, for serving
• Gruyere or parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the onions are caramelized (see below for why caramelizing onions is such an important step when making French Onion soup).
2. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute.
3. Add the broth, water, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
5. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls and top with croutons or bread and Gruyere or parmesan cheese.
6. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Vegan French Onion Soup Recipe Alternative

Ingredients:

• 4 large onions, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 cup of water
• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 tsp of thyme
• 1 tbsp of flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Vegan croutons or bread, for serving
• Vegan cheese or nutritional yeast, for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the onions are caramelized.
2. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute.
3. Add the vegetable broth, water, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
5. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls and top with vegan croutons or bread and vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.
6. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tips for Making French Onion Soup

New to soup making or not sure how to make the best french onion soup? Here are some tips to get you started!

• Make sure to slice the onions very thinly so they can caramelize properly.
• You can adjust the amount of broth and water to your desired consistency.
• Use your favorite cheese to top the soup, Gruyere and parmesan are traditional choices but you can use any cheese you like.
• You can also add some sliced mushrooms for more depth of flavor.
• If you want to make it more creamy, you can add some heavy cream or milk (or vegan alternative such as vegan cream or coconut milk) to the soup before serving.

Best Onions for Making French Onion Soup

The best onions to use for French onion soup are yellow onions. They have a high water content and a natural sweetness, which makes them perfect for caramelizing. They also have a good balance of sulfur compounds and sugars, which give the soup its characteristic rich, sweet and savory flavor.

White onions can also be used but they have a sharper taste and less sweetness than yellow onions. Red onions can also be used, but their sweetness is not as pronounced as yellow onions, and they can add a slight purple color to the soup.

Sweet onions such as Vidalia or Walla Walla onions are also good choices, but they may not have the same depth of flavor as yellow onions.

In summary, yellow onions are the most commonly used and recommended for French onion soup, but you can also experiment with other types of onions to see which one you prefer.

Why Do We Caramelize Onions For French Onion Soup?

Have you ever wondered why we caramaize onions for french onion soup and been templted to cut out this step?

Well don’t! Caramelizing onions is an important step in making French onion soup because it adds a rich, deep flavor and sweetness to the soup. Caramelization is the process of breaking down the natural sugars in the onions by cooking them at a high heat. As the onions cook, the sugars break down and begin to turn brown, creating a complex and delicious taste.

When caramelizing onions, it’s important to cook them slowly over a low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they are a deep golden brown. This can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the size and type of onions you are using. If the heat is too high, the onions will burn and become bitter, so it’s important to be patient and to keep an eye on them as they cook.

In addition to adding flavor, caramelizing onions also helps to soften them and make them easier to eat. This is particularly important in French onion soup, where the onions are typically left whole and served in the broth.

So there you are 😉 caramelizing onions is an essential step in making French onion soup because it adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the soup, and it helps to soften the onions.

Add Wine or Sherry To French Onion Soup

If you are looking to make the soup that little bit extra special, you can add wine or sherry to French onion soup. Wine or sherry can add a nice depth of flavor and complexity to the soup. A dry red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir or a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc are a good choice. Sherry is also a popular addition to French onion soup because it adds a nutty and slightly sweet flavor.

When adding wine or sherry to the soup, it’s best to add it after the onions have been caramelized and before the broth is added. This will allow the alcohol to cook off and the flavors to meld together. You can add about 1/2 cup to 1 cup of wine or sherry, depending on your preference.

It’s important to note that if you use wine or sherry, you may want to adjust the seasoning, because it might make the soup a bit saltier.

Also, if you’re serving the soup to someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, or if you prefer not to cook with alcohol, you can also use wine or sherry flavored vinegar, it will give similar flavor profile and taste.

Adding wine or sherry to French onion soup is a great way to add depth of flavor, complexity and nuttiness to the soup, but it’s important to adjust the seasoning and to cook off the alcohol.

Tips for Serving French Onion Soup

Here are some tips for serving French onion soup:

1. Use the right type of bowl: French onion soup is best served in an oven-safe crock or ramekin. This allows the cheese to melt and brown nicely under the broiler.
2. The right bread: Use a good quality bread that is sturdy enough to hold the soup without getting soggy. A french baguette or sourdough bread are both great options.
3. Keep the cheese on top: Traditionally, French onion soup is served with a slice of bread on top and then covered with grated Gruyère cheese. This allows the cheese to melt and brown under the broiler.
4. Broil the cheese: If you want a golden brown and bubbly cheese, it’s best to broil the soup. This will give you a nice crusty top.
5. Be careful with the seasoning: French onion soup is quite salty, so be careful when seasoning it. Taste the soup before adding any additional salt.
6. Serving temperature: French onion soup should be served hot, so be sure to heat the bowls before serving.
7. Presentation: French onion soup is a classic dish, so you want to make sure that it looks as good as it tastes. Try to garnish it with some fresh herbs, chives, or parsley and serve it with a small spoon and fork.

In short, French onion soup is best served in an oven-safe crock or ramekin, with a good quality bread, grated Gruyère cheese on top, broiled, with the right seasoning, at a hot temperature and with a good presentation.

That’s it for now!

I hope you enjoyed the recipe and found it easy to follow, and for those who are vegan, I hope you enjoyed the alternative version.

French onion soup is just the beginning, there are so many more soups out there to explore and try. I have a lot more soup recipes on my website that I think you’ll love, so be sure to check them out. From comforting classic like tomato soup to more exotic like Pho, there’s something for everyone.

In the meantime, enjoy your bowl of French onion soup and don’t forget to share it with your loved ones. It’s a dish that’s meant to be enjoyed with family and friends.

Thanks for joining me in the kitchen, and I’ll see you soon for another delicious recipe. Happy cooking!