INSTANT POT FRENCH ONION SOUP

INSTANT POT FRENCH ONION SOUP

Instant Pot French Onion Soup is a modern twist on a classic, featuring deeply caramelised onions, savoury broth and a touch of balsamic for balance. This single-serve version streamlines the timeless recipe into one pot, ensuring maximum flavour with minimal fuss. The onions melt into golden sweetness, enriched by the tangy balsamic vinegar and enhanced by a light broth base. Choose beef broth for traditional richness or vegetable broth for a lighter and vegetarian-friendly option. With the optional toasted bread topping, it delivers that signature French onion experience, which is chewy, comforting and utterly soul-satisfying. Suitable for lunch, light dinner or starter, this soup offers elegance and warmth in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect on cooler days or anytime you need a quick and gourmet-style bowl without the effort.

RECIPE CATEGORY

Lunch

SERVING SIZE

1

CUISINE

French

PREPARATION/TECHNIQUES

One-Pot Wonders

OCCASION/HOLIDAY

Winter

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION/DIETARY CONCERNS

Quick & Easy

DISH TYPE

Soup / Stew

INGREDIENTS

There are the following ingredients for Instant Pot French Onion Soup:

• ½ cup sliced onion

• 1 cup beef or vegetable broth

• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

• ½ slice toasted bread (optional topping)

• 1 tsp olive oil

FULL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

• Calories: 109.4 kcal

• Fat: 5.3 g

• Saturated Fat: 0.8 g

• Carbohydrate: 13.5 g

• Sugar: 4.2 g

• Sodium: 108.1 mg

• Fiber: 1.7 g

• Protein: 2.3 g

• Calcium: 41.7 mg

• Iron: 0.8 mg

• Potassium: 121.5 mg

PREPARATION

These steps are followed for the preparation of Instant Pot French Onion Soup:

• Sauté Onions: Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Heat olive oil, add sliced onions and cook 5 to 7 minutes until softened and golden.

• Caramelise Lightly: Continue sautéing for 3 to 4 minutes until onions start to caramelise, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

• Add Broth And Balsamic: Pour in broth and add balsamic vinegar, stirring to mix.

• Pressure Cook Briefly: Cancel Sauté, seal lid and cook on High Pressure for 5

• Release And Serve: Quick‑release pressure, stir gently, then optionally float toasted bread on top before serving.

PREP TIME

5 minutes

COOKING TIME

15 minutes

TIPS

Here are some helpful tips for Instant Pot French Onion Soup:

• Slice Onions Thinly: Even slices ensure consistent cooking and caramelisation.

• Stir Often: During sautéing, frequent stirring prevents scorching and keeps onions tender.

• Use Low-Sodium Broth: Gives better flavour control and lets caramelised onions shine.

• Optional Topping: Toast bread until crisp, then float on top just before serving for added texture.

• Deglaze The Pot: Scrape up the fond on the base when adding broth, it contains magic flavour.

VARIATIONS

• Vegetarian Option: Use vegetable broth and add 1 tsp soy sauce for extra richness.

• Cheesy Finish: Top with shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese and broil briefly in a small oven-safe bowl (Instant Pot off).

• Herbal Twist: Stir in a sprig of thyme or a bay leaf during sauté, removing before pressure cooking.

• Garlic Boost: Add 1 garlic clove, minced, during sauté for aromatic depth.

• Mushroom Mix: Toss in ¼ cup sliced mushrooms with onions for earthy umami notes.

PREPPING AND STORAGE

• Refrigeration: Store cooled soup in a sealed container for up to 3  Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently.

• Freezing: Transfer to freezer-safe container, leaving room for expansion; freeze up to 2  Thaw overnight before reheating.

• Reheat Carefully: Warm gently; high heat may toughen onions or separate the broth.

• Batch Prep: Double the recipe and freeze individual portions for quick future meals.