Instant Pot French Onion Soup Easy Healthy Wellplated Com

I’ve had a soft spot for French onion soup since I was a little girl and my grammy treated me to it for lunch. This Instant Pot French onion soup recipe is my attempt to recreate its magic in a faster, less labor-intensive way. If you’re familiar with authentic French onion soup, you’ll know it is a commitment.

Onions are slowly (and patiently) caramelized to sweet, sweet perfection (just like this Blue Cheese Burger recipe). A fragrant bouquet of fresh herbs gets infused into simmering, rich beef broth.Butter, cheese, and crusty bread are used without any manner of restraint (ahem, Air Fryer Grilled Cheese).

As magnificent as the classic is, I wanted a weeknight version of this comforting soup that was fast, easy, and (a little bit) healthy (for full-on healthy, check out my Instant Pot Carrot Soup).

How to Make Instant Pot French Onion Soup

Now this healthy French onion soup recipe is made using all of the same ingredients of traditional French onion soup but in lightened-up amounts (which tastes perfect with the French classic Niçoise Salad). PLUS it’s made right in the instant pot (like this Instant Pot Lentil Soup) for ease and efficiency.

The Ingredients

Butter. It wouldn’t be French onion soup without butter.Onion. Slowly caramelized onions are what give French onion soup its depth and body.

Garlic. To amp up the aromatics.Thyme + Bay Leaves. These savory herbs pair well with the sweet onions and robustly flavored beef stock (as in this Instant Pot Beef Stew).Red Wine. Adds depth and subtle acidity to balance the sweetness of the onions. Choose a wine that’s good enough to drink.Beef Bone Broth. Compensates for the low-butter content by lending the broth a deep, natural flavor and added richness. Added bonus: it’s packed with protein.Beef Stock. Provides additional richly flavored cooking liquid for the onions and herbs to simmer in.Baguette. I recommend buying two. One for the cheesy toasted topping and a second of soaking up every last drop of the rich onion broth. Gruyère. A traditional French onion soup cheese, and if I could only have one cheese in my French onion soup for the rest of my life, that would be it. (Incidentally, it is also incredible on a grilled cheese sandwich or in a Cheese Fondue.)

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Leftover French onion soup may be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, store the soup without cheese or toasted baguettes and prepare the topping while reheating.To Freeze. Instant Pot French onion soup may be stored in the freezer (without the cheese and baguette) for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before serving.To Reheat. Warm the soup over the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming. Prepare freshly toasted baguettes with cheese while soup reheats.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Instant Pot. From soups, stews, pasta, and more. You’ll love the ease and versatility the Instant Pot brings to your kitchen.12-ounce Ramekins. I love these oven-safe ones for baked soups and miniature Goat Cheese Quiche.Sheet Pan. No kitchen should be without a small collection of quality aluminum sheet pans.

This Instant Pot French onion soup may not be the proper “French” way, but it’s certainly a scrumptious means to enjoy a healthy, fast version of this indulgent soup. To make the Instant Pot French onion soup recipe attainable on even a busy weeknight, I caramelized the onions in my Instant Pot.

It makes the process completely hands-off.The onions caramelized in just 20 minutes.You cook the rest of the soup in same pot, so you’ll still only have one pan to clean in the end.

(More one-pan recipes can be found in this post, 15 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes.)