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Instant Pot French Onion Soup

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Introducing Instant Pot French Onion Soup in my kitchen, where the aroma of caramelized onions fills the air, and cozy comfort awaits in every spoonful of my Instant Pot French Onion Soup. As a lover of hearty, soul-warming dishes, I’ve perfected this classic recipe to perfection.

French-onion-soup-in-Instant-Pot

Picture tender, golden-brown onions simmered in a savory beef broth, topped with a crusty slice of baguette and melted Gruyère cheese—a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul. With the magic of the Instant Pot, I’ve condensed hours of stovetop simmering into a fraction of the time, without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. Join me as I share my passion for homemade goodness and invite you to savor the simple joys of homemade French Onion Soup, made effortlessly in the Instant Pot.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • Effortless Preparation: With the Instant Pot, making French Onion Soup is incredibly easy and requires minimal hands-on time. You can achieve rich, caramelized flavors without the need for constant stirring.
  • Time-Saving: Traditional French Onion Soup recipes require hours of stovetop simmering to develop flavor. With the Instant Pot, you can achieve the same depth of flavor in a fraction of the time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner plans.
  • Intense Flavor: The pressure cooking function of the Instant Pot allows the flavors of the onions, broth, and seasonings to meld together beautifully, resulting in a deeply flavorful and aromatic soup.
  • Tender Onions: The high pressure of the Instant Pot helps to break down the onions quickly, resulting in tender, melt-in-your-mouth caramelized onions that are the star of the dish.
  • Versatile: French Onion Soup is versatile and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer a rich beef broth or a lighter vegetable broth, you can tailor the recipe to your liking.
  • Comforting and Cozy: There’s something inherently comforting about a bowl of French Onion Soup. It’s warm, hearty, and satisfying—a perfect dish for chilly evenings or when you need a little pick-me-up.
  • Crusty Bread and Melty Cheese: One of the highlights of French Onion Soup is the irresistible combination of crusty bread and melted cheese. The Instant Pot allows you to quickly melt the cheese under the broiler for that classic French Onion Soup presentation.
  • Impressive Presentation: French Onion Soup is not only delicious but also visually stunning. Serving it in individual oven-safe bowls topped with melted cheese and golden-brown bread makes for an impressive presentation that’s sure to impress your guests.
  • Perfect for Entertaining: French Onion Soup is an elegant and sophisticated dish that’s perfect for entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or a casual get-together, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
  • Leftovers Are Even Better: Like many soups, French Onion Soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together. Plus, it reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop for a quick and easy meal.
French-Onion-Soup-on-a-Spoon

Ingredients for Instant Pot French Onion Soup

  • 5 large sweet onions
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 5 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 5 cups beef broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig thyme 
  • 1 cup Gruyere cheese 
Instant-pot-French-onion

Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe

I caramelized my onions on the stovetop first. You can also achieve this in the Instant Pot using the sauté function. You can see how to caramelize onions on the Stovetops

Caramelized Onions:

  • Melt butter and mix with olive oil in the Instant Pot.
  • Add onions and cook on medium to low heat, stirring often, for 10-15 minutes.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and continue cooking on low for 30 minutes or until onions are golden brown.

To Make the Soup:

  • Add the caramelized onions to your Instant Pot.
  • Stir in broth and wine.
  • Add bay leaf and thyme.
  • Cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes.
  • Perform a quick release.
  • Turn your oven on broil.
  • In oven-safe bowls, add the onion soup.
  • Place a slice of baguette on top of each bowl and top with cheese.
  • Place the bowls in the broiler until the cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes.
Caramelized-Onions

Fun Fact:

This rendition of Onion Soup traces its roots back to 18th-century France. Prior to that, Onion Soup had a history that stretches back into antiquity.

It earns its name from its primary ingredient: onions, and its French designation owing to its origin in France.

Instant pot French onion

Tips & Tricks

  • Caramelization is Key: Take your time caramelizing the onions. This step is crucial for developing the rich, sweet flavor that defines French Onion Soup. Stir frequently and be patient—the onions should turn a deep golden brown color.
  • Use the Saute Function Wisely: Utilize the saute function on your Instant Pot for both caramelizing the onions and deglazing the pot. This helps to release the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, adding depth to the soup.
  • Add a Touch of Sweetness: A tablespoon of sugar added to the onions while caramelizing can enhance their natural sweetness and aid in achieving that perfect caramelization.
  • Choose the Right Cheese: Gruyère cheese is the classic choice for topping French Onion Soup due to its nutty flavor and superior melting properties. However, you can also use other melting cheeses like Swiss or Mozzarella if preferred.
  • Make it Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version of French Onion Soup, substitute vegetable broth for beef broth. The onions and seasonings will still impart plenty of flavor.
  • Enhance the Broth: Enhance the flavor of the soup by using a combination of beef broth and a splash of dry white wine. The wine adds a subtle acidity that balances the richness of the broth.
  • Season Thoughtfully: Taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add a pinch of salt or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth of flavor.
  • Mind the Bread: Choose a sturdy bread like baguette slices for topping the soup. Toast the bread slightly before adding it to the soup bowls to help it hold up better.
  • Broil with Caution: Keep a close eye on the soup under the broiler to prevent burning. Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, it’s ready to serve.
  • Let it Rest: Allow the soup to cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth. The flavors will also continue to develop as the soup rests.

Instant pot French onion Soup

FAQs about French Onion Soup

While yellow onions are traditionally used for French Onion Soup due to their rich flavor and sweetness when caramelized, you can experiment with other varieties such as red onions or sweet onions for different flavor profiles.

Caramelizing onions in the Instant Pot can take approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on the quantity of onions and the desired level of caramelization. It’s important to cook them low and slow to achieve that deep, rich flavor.

While wine adds depth of flavor to the soup, you can omit it if preferred or substitute it with additional broth. The soup will still be delicious, but you may need to adjust the seasoning slightly to compensate for the lack of acidity from the wine.

To prevent the cheese from sticking to the Instant Pot insert, you can transfer the soup to individual oven-safe bowls before adding the bread and cheese. This also allows for better portion control and presentation.

While you can freeze French Onion Soup, it’s best to do so before adding the bread and cheese topping. Freeze the soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months, then reheat and add the bread and cheese when serving.

Yes, you can make the soup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Simply reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave before adding the bread and cheese topping and broiling it in the oven.

Gruyère cheese is the traditional choice for topping French Onion Soup due to its nutty flavor and excellent melting properties. However, you can also use Swiss, Mozzarella, or another melting cheese of your choice.

  1. Cool Down: Allow the leftover Onion Soup to cool down to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing. This helps prevent bacterial growth.
  2. Refrigeration: Transfer the cooled Onion Soup to an airtight container or a sealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to maintain freshness. Refrigerate the soup within two hours of cooking. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  3. Freezing: If you don’t plan to consume the leftover Onion Soup within a few days, consider freezing it for longer-term storage. Pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion. Alternatively, you can use freezer bags. Label the containers with the date and store them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
  4. Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen Onion Soup, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Alternatively, you can reheat it directly from frozen, although this may take longer.
  5. Reheating: Reheat the refrigerated or thawed Onion Soup on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. If reheating from frozen, use a saucepan or microwave, and heat gently until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.
  6. Check for Freshness: Before consuming leftover Onion Soup, always check for signs of spoilage such as an off odor, unusual color, or mold growth. If the soup appears or smells questionable, it’s best to discard it.
French Onion Soup In the Instant Pot
French-Onion-Soup-on-a-Spoon

Instant Pot French Onion Soup

Yield: 6
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

 Instant Pot French Onion Soup gives you all those classic flavors in this French onion soup recipe. Beefy broth, onions, and cheese. Instant Pot French Onion Soup is so easy to make!

Ingredients

  • 5 large sweet onions
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 5 tbs butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 5 cups beef broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig thyme 
  • 1 cup Gruyere cheese 

Instructions

    To Caramelized the Onions:

  1. Melt butter and mix with olive oil in the Instant Pot.
  2. Add onions and cook on medium to low heat, stirring often, for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and continue cooking on low for 30 minutes or until onions are golden brown.

To make the French Onion soup:

  1. Add the caramelized onions to your Instant Pot.
  2. Stir in broth and wine.
  3. Add bay leaf and thyme.
  4. Cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes.
  5. Perform a quick release.
  6. Turn your oven on broil.
  7. In oven-safe bowls, add the onion soup.
  8. Place a slice of baguette on top of each bowl and top with cheese.
  9. Place the bowls in the broiler until the cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 306Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 986mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 14gProtein: 11g

Did you make this recipe?

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© Adventures of a Nurse
Cuisine: American / Category: Instant Pot Recipes

What readers are saying:

Readers who have made this recipe are raving about it! With 294 4.5-star reviews, You won’t be disappointed,

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This is my favorite Instant Pot Soup it’s so easy to make and my whole family loved it.
Rachael
Wife and Mom
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I will only make French Onion soup in my Instant Pot after trying this recipe. It’s on our meal rotation every couple of weeks. thanks!
Kendra
Busy Mom

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Welcome to the place where my two passions—healthcare and culinary arts—merge. I’m Carla Bushey, and I’ve transitioned from a dedicated nursing career of over 25 years into the dynamic world of food blogging. This space is dedicated to bringing you a treasure trove of recipes, each a testament to the tastes and traditions that resonate with my soul. My home, the beautiful Upstate New York, serves as the backdrop to my culinary creations, often inspired by the rich cultural heritage and the classic Italian cuisine of my hometown, Utica. Dishes like the beloved Chicken Riggies and the comforting Utica Greens are more than just recipes—they are stories, shared from my kitchen to yours.

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26 Comments

  1. Hi! This looks great, but I am not a fan of wine. I understand it changes the flavor, but what is something that I can replace the wine with. I’m one of those that can spot wine the moment it touches my tongue, and I just hate it, LOL. Thanks!!!!

    Reply
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  6. Please tell me the serving size of the French onion soup. Is it 1 cup(8 oz) or 2? I count my carbs.

    Reply

  7. You should make sure you say brown sugar and not just sugar in your recipe. Just wasted an hour trying to get the onions to caramelize.

    Reply

  8. I have this in the pot now and it smells so good. I did have trouble getting my onions to caramelize in 30 minutes and after about 35 I increased the heat on the stove top. Maybe I had too deep of a pan?? Can’t wait for this to be ready though! Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply

  10. I made this and it was very good, just a bit on the sweet side. Is there a way to cut that down? Should I made put in a bit of salt?

    Reply

  11. I would not recommend using cooking wine for anything. It is just wine with a bunch of salt added. Use real wine and control your own salt input. I will make this in the near future.

    Reply

  12. 5 min cook time and 5 min prep time, yet the directions call for 30 mins to caramelize onions, 5 mins in the pressure cooker and 2-3 under a broiler. Not to mention the time to cut all the onions and gather ingredients.

    Reply
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  14. I thought it ended up too sweet, I wouldn’t add the sugar at all next time. We’re a vegetarian household so we use fake beef broth- but otherwise super simple and a delicious meal.

    Reply

  15. I made this as a first try of my Instant Pot. It was very easy. It did take a little longer to get the onions caramelized. I did add a little Worcestershire Sauce after, it was a little too sweet for me. Thank you for posting the recipe, it was a hit.

    Reply
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