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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Instant Pot French Onion Soup

Instant Pot French Onion Soup

Say hello to your new favorite soup recipe!

By Lauren Miyashiro; Recipe by Kellie KelleyPublished: Aug 10, 2021
Star FillStar FillStar FillHalf StarStar
3.8
5 Ratings
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instant pot french onion soup recipe with onions beef stock french bread dijon mustard gruyere cheese thyme and black pepper in small casserole dishes
Will Dickey

Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Yields:
6 - 8 serving(s)
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
50 mins

If there were an official list of the "Top 10 Intoxicating Kitchen Smells" of all time, a simmering pot of French onion soup would be near the top. In your Instant Pot, however, the aroma is intensified even more. (Honestly, get ready for when you release pressure.) The best part of this recipe is that you don't need to stress about caramelizing the onions until they're the perfect shade of golden brown. Though they won't look as dark as the jammy situation that happens on the stovetop, pressure cooking will ensure that you don't sacrifice any of the richness you'd expect from this classic soup. 

What onions are best for French onion soup?

You could really use any type (or combination) of onions, even red! But it's generally preferred to use a milder variety. This recipe calls for yellow onion, which tends to be sweet and bright.

What can't you cook in an Instant Pot?

In this case, the bread. For optimal crispiness and gooey cheese, ladle the soup into ramekins, top each serving with a slice of bread and a generous mound of Gruyère cheese, then broil until melty. (Pro tip: A swipe of Dijon mustard on the bread adds a sharp tang that complements the nutty cheese and decadent soup.)

How do I thicken French onion soup?

Because this soup is cooked in the Instant Pot, the process is a little different. Instead of dusting the onions, you'll whisk flour into wine to make a thickener for the soup. When added to the pot, it'll add just the right amount of thickness and body throughout. 

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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 lb. yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 6 sprigs of thyme, plus more leaves for garnish
  • 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 6 cups beef stock
  • 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper, plus more for serving
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 slices french bread, lightly toasted
  • 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
  • 8 oz. shredded gruyere or swiss cheese

Directions

    1. Step 1Add the butter and oil to the liner of a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot and set to SAUTE. Once the butter is melted, add the onions, garlic, and sugar. Stir well to coat the onions. Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and lock into place. Seal the steam release handle. Select HIGH PRESSURE and set the timer for 5 minutes. When the timer is up, manually release the pressure (unseal the steam release handle). Unlock and remove the lid, being careful of any remaining steam.
    2. Step 2Add the thyme sprigs. Set to SAUTE and cook 18-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion broth is light golden in color.(You don’t want the onions to get too mushy.) Combine the flour and wine in a small bowl. Add wine mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the broth, Worchestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
    3. Step 3 Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and lock into place. Seal the steam release handle. Select HIGH PRESSURE and set the timer for 5 minutes. When the timer is up, manually release the pressure (unseal the steam release handle). Unlock and remove the lid, being careful of any remaining steam. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs.
    4. Step 4Preheat a broiler to high heat. Spread the mustard over top of each bread slice. Spoon the soup into 6 individual ovenproof ramekins. Top each with 1 bread slice and sprinkle the cheese evenly over top.
    5. Step 5Place the ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Garnish with thyme leaves and more black pepper, if desired.
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