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Instant Pot French Onion Soup (Vegetarian)

Instant Pot French Onion Soup is a restaurant-quality vegetarian soup, with a savory and sweet flavor instead of the bitter taste typical of the classic soup. It is loaded with caramelized onions and topped with toasted bread and gooey, melting cheese. So delish!

Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 328 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 4 pounds yellow onions peeled and thinly sliced (about 5–6 large onions)
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar replace with ⅛ teaspoon baking SODA per pound of onion if on a keto diet
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 6 cups vegetable broth or beef or chicken broth stock if you’re not on a vegetarian diet
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour must be dissolved in 5 tablespoon of water (replace with 2 tablespoon xanthan gum dissolved in 4 tablespoon of water if on a keto diet or cornstarch if on a gluten-free diet)
  • 6 slices French bread or baguette Slice bread 1-inch thick (one slice per bowl, depending on the size of your bowl). Replace with keto bread or gluten-free bread
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheese such as Gruyere, Asiago, Swiss, Gouda, White chedar, or Mozzarella, about ¼ cup per bowl

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Caramelize the onions: Press the Sauté button of your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Let it heat for 2-3 minutes and add olive oil. Add sliced onions and stir in brown sugar. Sauté, stirring every now and then in order to prevent burning, for about 15-20 minutes or until onions are golden brown or caramelized.
  2. NOTE: Because the pot is tall but not so wide, you may have to half the recipe, or cook half of the onions on the stovetop. If cooking the whole 4 pounds of sliced onions in the Instant Pot, it may take a few minutes more to caramelize. Make sure to stir them more often.
  3. Add aromatics, seasonings, and liquids: Next, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then, combine Worcestershire sauce and wine. Let the wine evaporate a little and stir in salt, pepper, broth, thyme, and bay leaf.
  4. Pressure Cook: Lock the lid, turn the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 15-20 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
  5. Thicken the soup: Open the pot and stir in a mixture of flour dissolved in water. Press the sauté button and cook, stirring constantly, for about 8 minutes or until the soup thickens. Can you skip the thickening process? YES! Transfer the soup to bowls and top with toasted bread and cheese.
  6. Broil: Place the oven-safe bowl onto a baking sheet and transfer to the top oven rack (must be about 6 inches from the heat source) and broil for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown, bubbly, and melted. Watch carefully in order for the cheese to not burn.

Notes

  • How to store leftovers
  • To refrigerate: This is one of those easy freezer meals! Allow the leftovers to fully cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • To freeze: After the leftovers cool, store the soup either in a freezer bag or container, and freeze (without the bread and cheese) for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw and reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat our vegetarian French onion soup in a pot on the stovetop.  Then pour it into ceramic bowls. Top with toasted bread and cheese, and broil following our recipe.

Nutrition Information

Calories 328kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Cholesterol 22mg (7%) Sodium 1163mg (48%) Potassium 514mg (15%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 18g (36%) Vitamin A 723IU (14%) Vitamin C 24mg (27%) Calcium 226mg (23%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 328

% Daily Value*

Calories 328kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 1163mg 48%
Potassium 514mg 11%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 18g 36%
Vitamin A 723IU 14%
Vitamin C 24mg 27%
Calcium 226mg 23%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.