Instant Pot French Onion Soup (2024)

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

FAQs about French Onion Soup