Instant Pot French Onion Soup

Side view of two bowls of french onion soup in crockery topped with baguette slices & melted cheese.

Course: Soup

Cuisine: French

Keyword: french onion soup, instant pot french onion soup

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 30

Time for Pressure to Build: 30

Total Time: 1 15

Servings: people

Calories: 336kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

Instant Pot French Onion soup with delicious caramelized onions, beef broth, and melty Gruyere cheese croutons is the ultimate comfort food soup recipe.

Print Recipe

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1/2 stick unsalted butter 1/4 cup
2 pounds onions halved, then thinly sliced
6 cloves garlic minced
2 Tablespoons flour
3/4 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth
4 cups beef broth reduced-sodium (32 ounces)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons dry sherry or cognac (optional)
6 1/2-inch thick diagonal slices baguette
½ pound Gruyère cheese grated
2 Tablespoons parmesan grated (optional)

Instructions

Set Instant Pot to SAUTE. Add butter and melt. Add onions and a pinch of salt and saute until softened, 5-6 minutes.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Hit CANCEL.
Add 1/4 cup stock to the onions, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Place lid on pot and set to seal. Press MANUAL high pressure and cook for 18 minutes. When time is up, quick release the pressure and remove lid. Hit CANCEL.
Set Instant Pot to SAUTE and add flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add wine and cook for 5 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
Add remaining broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaf and salt and pepper. Place lid on pot and set to seal. Press MANUAL high pressure and cook for 0 (zero) minutes (not a typo). Quick release the pressure before removing lid. Stir in sherry (if using). Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, as needed.
Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle the slices with the Gruyere and parmesan and broil until bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
Ladle the soup into bowls and place Gruyere toasts on top.

Video

Notes

Making it without wine

If you’d like to make French Onion Soup without wine, you can definitely skip that step. You may want to add a splash of balsamic vinegar to brighten up the flavor a bit at the end.

How to make ahead & store

To Store. Store leftovers in an airtight container 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.

Nutrition