Instant Pot French Onion Soup: Classic Comfort Made Fast
Enjoy a gourmet, caramel-rich broth topped with bubbly cheese in a fraction of the time.
Instant Pot French Onion Soup: A Classic Reimagined
Few dishes embody comfort and tradition like French onion soup. Its deep, golden broth, caramelized onions, and a blanket of melted cheese are universally loved. Yet, achieving these layers of flavor, especially the slow-cooked onions, can be time-consuming. Enter the Instant Pot: This modern kitchen tool brings the classic to your table in record time—without sacrificing richness or authenticity.
Why Choose the Instant Pot for French Onion Soup?
Making French onion soup the traditional way requires patience as onions gently caramelize for nearly an hour, followed by long simmering with broth. The Instant Pot streamlines this process, cutting down cooking times significantly with pressure cooking and consistent sauté functions, all in a single pot. Methods and variations may differ, but the core benefits remain:
- Speed: Pressure cooking tenderizes onions and builds flavors quickly.
- Convenience: Fewer pans and no hovering over the stove.
- Consistency: The Instant Pot ensures even, dependable results for beginners and experts alike.
Ingredients for Instant Pot French Onion Soup
The secret to unforgettable French onion soup lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for the Instant Pot version:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 pounds yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 6 cups beef stock
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more for serving
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 slices French bread, lightly toasted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 8 ounces shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Step-by-Step: How to Make French Onion Soup in Your Instant Pot
Step 1: Sauté and Pressure Cook the Onions
- Add butter and olive oil to the Instant Pot liner. Set to SAUTE. Once the butter melts, add the sliced onions, chopped garlic, and sugar. Stir until onions are well coated.
- Cover with the Instant Pot lid, lock in place, and seal the steam release handle.
- Set to HIGH PRESSURE for 5 minutes. Once the cycle ends, manually release the pressure. Remove the lid with care to avoid steam burns.
Step 2: Caramelize the Onions Further
- Add the thyme sprigs to the onions. Reset to SAUTE and cook, stirring occasionally, for 18-20 minutes. The mixture should develop a light golden hue; avoid overcooking to mushiness.
Step 3: Build the Soup Base
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and wine until smooth. Pour into the pot, stirring well to prevent lumps. Cook 1-2 minutes to let raw flour taste dissipate.
- Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Re-seal the Instant Pot. Select HIGH PRESSURE and set for another 5 minutes. Manual release when done. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf.
Step 4: Prepare the Cheesy Crouton Topping
- Preheat your oven broiler to HIGH.
- Spread Dijon mustard on each slice of lightly-toasted French bread.
- Ladle soup into 6 oven-proof ramekins. Top each with prepared bread and sprinkle generously with Gruyère cheese.
- Arrange ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil 1-2 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and golden brown. Watch closely to prevent burning.
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Step 5: Final Touches and Serving
- Garnish each bowl with extra thyme leaves and a grind of black pepper, if desired.
- Serve piping hot, allowing guests to break through the fragrant, cheesy crust down into the savory broth and sweet onions.
Tips for the Perfect Instant Pot French Onion Soup
- Onion Selection: Yellow onions are best for their balanced sweetness and deep flavor after caramelization.
- Slice Uniformly: Even slices ensure even cooking and texture throughout the soup.
- Watch the Broiler: Cheese goes from golden to burnt quickly—never leave it unattended.
- Broth Quality: Use a good, low-sodium beef stock for the richest flavor. Homemade or store-bought is fine.
- Wine Matters: Dry white wines (like Sauvignon Blanc) deliver acidity that balances the soup’s richness. Do not use sweet wines.
- Cheese Choices: Gruyère is classic, but Swiss or even a mix with mozzarella can work in a pinch.
- Portion Sizes: This recipe serves 6, but the quantities can be halved if needed.
Nutrition and Dietary Notes
French onion soup is vegetarian only if beef stock is substituted with vegetable broth, though purists argue the classic flavor depends on beef broth. To make gluten-free, swap in a gluten-free flour and bread.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 400 |
| Protein | 18g |
| Carbohydrates | 35g |
| Fat | 20g |
| Sodium | 1100mg |
French Onion Soup: Tips & Tricks for Superior Results
- Storage: Soup (without bread/cheese topping) can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen up to 2 months.
- Make-Ahead: Caramelize onions in advance to save even more time during mealtime prep.
- Serving for a Crowd: Assemble in a large casserole dish instead of ramekins and broil as one big portion to make serving easy.
- Flavor Boost: Add a splash of sherry before serving for depth and a traditional undertone.
- Customize Toppings: Layer a second type of cheese or sprinkle chopped chives on top before serving.
Ingredient Spotlight: Why These Appeal in French Onion Soup?
- Onions: Provide foundational sweetness and rich caramelized notes.
- Wine: Brings a gentle acidity, enhancing both aroma and complexity.
- Butter & Olive Oil: Lend silky texture and mouthfeel.
- Gruyère Cheese: Delivers mild nuttiness and melts to a perfectly stringy finish under the broiler.
- Dijon Mustard: Subtly sharpens the flavor of the crouton, cutting through richness with a pleasant tang.
- Herbs: Fresh thyme and bay leaf add freshness and earthiness that complement the onions and broth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Instant Pot version as good as traditional French onion soup?
Absolutely. While the stovetop method can offer slightly more control over onion caramelization, the Instant Pot yields richly flavored, deeply colored soup that is nearly indistinguishable from the classic—and much faster to prepare.
Can I substitute the wine?
Yes; you can use an equal amount of beef or vegetable broth if you wish to omit wine, though the finished soup may lack some depth and acidity that wine provides.
Can I make this vegetarian or vegan?
For vegetarian, switch to a robust vegetable broth and use vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. For vegan, also substitute the butter and cheese for plant-based alternatives and ensure your bread is vegan-friendly.
How do I get truly caramelized onions in the Instant Pot?
Letting the onions brown on SAUTE mode before pressure cooking, and sautéing them a bit after, allows browning and full caramelization even in a pressure cooker. Don’t skip those steps!
What other cheese can I use if Gruyère is unavailable?
A combination of Swiss and mozzarella is an excellent substitute. Provolone or Monterey Jack can be used for a mellower flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
- Serve with a crisp green salad or Niçoise salad for a French bistro-style meal.
- Pair with a glass of dry white wine or a light-bodied red like Pinot Noir.
- For heartier appetites, complement with a charcuterie board or roasted chicken.
Final Thoughts: Bringing Bistro Classics Home, Fast
This Instant Pot French onion soup proves that you don’t have to compromise on comfort, elegance, or flavor for the sake of convenience. In less than an hour, you can bring the taste of a Parisian bistro to your dinner table, complete with a rich onion broth, golden crostini, and gratinéed cheese. Elevate weeknights, impress company, or simply treat yourself to a soul-warming classic—no reservations required.
References
- https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-french-onion-soup/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a37001913/instant-pot-french-onion-soup-recipe/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a9632/french-onion-soup/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g62749119/french-onion-recipes/
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