Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe

This easy Instant Pot French Onion Soup is a quick pressure cooker version of the classic comfort food. Made in one pot with rich beef broth, deeply softened caramelized onions, red wine, garlic, herbs, and a generous layer of melted cheese, it delivers the cozy flavor of traditional French onion soup with less hands-on time.

Instant Pot French onion soup in a bowl with cheese

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This post was originally published in 2019 and has since been updated.

beef broth, butter, olive oil, brown sugar, and seasoning on a flat surface

French onion soup is known for its deep, savory broth, sweet onions, and irresistible cheesy topping. This Instant Pot French onion soup keeps the same comforting flavor while making the cooking process more convenient. The red wine adds richness and depth, while the pressure cooker helps bring the soup together quickly after the onions are softened.

This version skips the bread or croutons to keep the soup closer to a low-carb style. The cheese topping still gives it that classic French onion soup finish. If you prefer the traditional version, you can add toasted bread before melting the cheese.

Table of Contents

What Type Of Onions to Use

Yellow onions, red onions, and sweet onions all work well for French onion soup. For this recipe, 2 ½ pounds of yellow onions are used. Yellow onions give the soup a classic savory-sweet flavor once they soften and caramelize. You can also use a combination of yellow and red onions if that is what you have on hand.

The most important thing is to weigh the onions rather than rely only on the number of onions. Onion sizes vary a lot, so weighing them helps keep the balance of broth and onions right.

Ingredients

This Instant Pot French onion soup is made with beef broth, dry red wine, garlic, olive oil, butter, yellow onions, a bay leaf, brown sweetener, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Better than Bouillon beef flavor is also included for an extra layer of savory flavor, but you can omit it if preferred.

The cheese topping is one of the best parts of the recipe. Gruyere is the traditional choice for French onion soup because it melts beautifully and has a rich, nutty flavor. Swiss cheese also works well and makes a great substitute.

Classic French onion soup is often served with croutons or toasted bread under the cheese. This recipe leaves the bread out, but you can add it if you want a more traditional presentation. Simply ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, place toasted bread or croutons on top, add shredded cheese, and broil until melted.

How to Make French Onion Soup in the Instant Pot

Set the Instant Pot to Saute.
Add the butter and olive oil and allow them to melt.
Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden.
Add the beef broth, wine, bouillon, garlic, brown sweetener, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
Seal the lid and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
Quick release the steam when the cooking time ends.
Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls and top with shredded cheese.
Broil for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

French Onion Soup in an Instant Pot with a bay leaf

Caramelized Onions

The onions are the heart of this soup, so take your time with this step. In the Instant Pot, saute the onions until they become soft, fragrant, and golden. They do not need to be cooked until they are very dark brown. If onions are pushed too far, they can sometimes become bitter instead of sweet.

For a lighter caramelized flavor, cook the onions for about 10 minutes. For a deeper onion flavor, cook them closer to 25 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. The onions should look soft, glossy, and golden before you add the broth and wine.

Instant Pot French Onion Soup with a wooden spoon

How Do You Fix Too Much Onion in Soup?

French onion soup is naturally onion-forward, so the recipe is meant for anyone who enjoys the flavor of softened, caramelized onions. If the finished soup tastes too heavy on onions or there is not enough broth for your preference, stir in more beef broth. You can also add a little more wine if you want to maintain the same rich flavor profile.

What Goes Best With the Soup

This soup is hearty enough to enjoy on its own, especially with a generous cheese topping. It also pairs well with steak, chicken, salmon, or another simple protein for a complete lunch or dinner.

If you want to keep the meal rich and comforting, serve the soup alongside steak. For a lighter meal, pair it with chicken thighs or salmon. A simple green salad can also balance the richness of the broth and cheese.

Freezer Tips

French onion soup freezes well, but it is best to freeze it without cheese or bread. Allow the soup to cool, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When ready to serve, thaw and reheat the soup, then add it to oven-safe bowls. Top with shredded gruyere or Swiss cheese and broil until the cheese melts.

More Instant Pot Soup Recipes

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup
Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup

Easy, Instant Pot French Onion Soup

Brandi Crawford

This easy Instant Pot French Onion Soup is a flavorful one-pot pressure cooker recipe made with beef broth, caramelized onions, red wine, garlic, herbs, and melted gruyere or Swiss cheese.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine French

Servings 5 servings

Calories 454 kcal

Equipment

Instant Pot
Mandolin Slicer
Freezer Soup Molds

Ingredients

2 ½ pounds yellow onions Weigh the onions because the number needed will vary by size.
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups beef broth
1 cup dry red wine Cabernet Sauvignon was used.
1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon Beef Flavor
2 teaspoons brown sweetener
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
shredded gruyere or Swiss cheese Use the amount you prefer. About 2 cups total was used.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to broil.
Cut the onions in half, then slice them into thin pieces about ¼ inch thick. A mandolin slicer can make this step faster and more even.
Set the Instant Pot to Saute. When hot, add the butter and olive oil.
Once the butter melts, add the sliced onions and stir.
Cook the onions for 10-25 minutes, stirring often so they do not scorch. Cook until they are translucent, soft, and golden. The longer they cook, the deeper the caramelized flavor will be.
Add the beef broth, red wine, Better than Bouillon, brown sweetener, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir well.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal. Cook for 8 minutes on Manual or High Pressure.
When the cooking time ends, quick release the steam.
Open the pot and ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with shredded cheese. Use enough cheese to create a thick, gooey layer if desired.
Broil for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese melts and bubbles. Serve hot.

Notes

Traditional French onion soup often includes toasted bread or croutons. This version skips the bread, but you can add it before topping the soup with cheese.
Better than Bouillon adds extra beef flavor. You can leave it out if you prefer.
The wine can be replaced with additional beef broth. A dry white wine can also be used instead of red wine.
For the best texture, freeze the soup without cheese or bread and add those toppings after reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving
Calories: 454kcal
Carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 17g
Fat: 31g

Nutrition Data

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee. For the most accurate results, calculate the nutrition using the exact ingredients and brands used in your kitchen.