Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe

There’s nothing quite as soul-soothing as a deep, savory bowl of Instant Pot French Onion Soup. With its golden, cheesy crouton floating atop a sea of sweet, caramelized onions and rich broth, this comforting classic becomes absolutely weeknight-friendly thanks to the magic of your pressure cooker!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Instant Pot French Onion Soup lies in its simplicity—a handful of ingredients, each one playing a crucial, delicious role. Here’s what makes this recipe so magical, with a few pro-tips for shopping or swapping.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps those onions turn gorgeously golden; unsalted gives you more control over seasoning.
• Yellow or Spanish Onions: The star of the show! Slice them thin for sweet, deeply caramelized flavor; yellow onions or Spanish onions both work beautifully.
• Garlic: Just a couple of cloves boost the flavor without overpowering the delicate sweetness of the onions.
• Fresh Thyme Sprigs: These infuse the soup with subtle herby notes—use fresh for best results, but dried works in a pinch.
• Bay Leaf: A classic French touch that gently perfumes the broth as it simmers.
• Dry Red Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon or similar deep, dry reds add depth and balance to the soup; feel free to use what you have on hand (even a dry white in a pinch!).
• Beef Bone Broth and Beef Stock: Using a 50/50 mix creates a luxurious base with great body and complexity; if you only have regular stock, just use a full 8 cups.
• Kosher Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for drawing out all those layered flavors; season to taste.
• Baguette Slices: Slightly stale or day-old bread works great here and holds up well once broiled atop the soup.
• Gruyère Cheese: Nutty, melty, and perfectly French—Swiss, white cheddar, fontina, or gouda are delicious if you want to mix it up!

Variations

One of my favorite things about Instant Pot French Onion Soup is how endlessly customizable it is. Here are a few ways you can personalize this classic, whether you’re working with pantry staples or feeding a crowd with different dietary needs.

• Vegetarian Version: Swap in a rich vegetable broth (and omit the bone broth and beef stock) to make this completely meat-free—still deeply savory and satisfying!
• Go Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free baguette or rustic bread for the toasts—just slice, toast, and top as usual.
• Cheese Remix: While Gruyère is classic, try white cheddar, fontina, or even smoked gouda for a twist (or use a blend for extra wow factor).
• Low-Sodium Tweak: Choose low-sodium broth and stock, and adjust salt to taste at the very end—you won’t lose any of that delicious flavor.

How to Make Instant Pot French Onion Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Onions with Flavor Builders

Set your Instant Pot to sauté and melt the butter right in the insert. Once it’s foaming, toss in the sliced onions, minced garlic, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Give them a good stir so every slice gets a little love from the butter and herbs, and cook for about five minutes—just until the onions start to soften and get glossy. Add 3 tablespoons of water (this helps those onions gently steam and release their sweetness!).

Step 2: Pressure Cook for Meltingly Tender Onions

Seal the Instant Pot lid, set to HIGH pressure (manual) for 20 minutes, and relax while the magic happens. It’s incredible how quickly your pressure cooker transforms mounds of onions into gorgeously tender, caramelized gold—no babysitting required! When the timer beeps, release the pressure immediately so you don’t overcook.

Step 3: Simmer with Wine and Develop Flavor

Pop the lid off and hit sauté again. Let the soup simmer for another five minutes to reduce some of the onion juices. Next, pour in your red wine and use a sturdy spoon to scrape up any yummy brown bits on the bottom—that’s where so much extra flavor lives! Let this all bubble for ten minutes, so the alcohol cooks off and the wine reduces to a syrupy, savory base. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf now.

Step 4: Add Broth and Simmer to Perfection

Pour in both the beef bone broth and beef stock (you want a full 8 cups to create that signature deep, beefy flavor and just the right consistency). Let the mixture simmer gently, uncovered, for around 10 minutes—this thickens the soup ever-so-slightly and melds all the flavors together beautifully. Now’s the time to taste and season generously with salt and black pepper. Adjust to your liking, and savor that irresistible aroma!

Step 5: Make Cheesy Crouton Toppings

While your soup finishes, preheat your oven’s broiler. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet, sprinkle with plenty of freshly grated Gruyère, and broil for 3–5 minutes. Watch carefully—they should be bubbling and golden brown (and will smell AMAZING). It’s the little things like this toasted cheese cap that make French onion soup so legendary. If you’re feeling fancy and have oven-safe bowls, place the bread and cheese directly on top of each serving and broil the whole bowl.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve

Ladle the piping hot Instant Pot French Onion Soup into bowls, float a cheesy baguette on top (or two—no judgment), and let everyone break through that melted cheese lid for the ultimate comfort food moment. Serve immediately and watch smiles happen!

How to Serve Instant Pot French Onion Soup

Garnishes

The classic finishing touch is that glorious, melty cheese-topped baguette, but don’t stop there—add a scattering of fresh thyme leaves or a sprinkle of extra black pepper for a truly bistro-worthy bowl. A tiny drizzle of good olive oil or a pinch of flaky salt also elevates every spoonful.

Side Dishes

This Instant Pot French Onion Soup is deeply satisfying on its own but shines alongside a bright green salad, a platter of crisp apple slices, or a sharp vinaigrette-dressed slaw to balance the soup’s richness. If you’re craving something heartier, a simple charcuterie board or roasted vegetables makes a wonderful pairing.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with bread and cheese, and broil tableside for show-stopping presentation. Or try serving smaller portions in espresso cups or shot glasses as elegant appetizers at your next gathering—complete with mini cheese toasts perched on top!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover Instant Pot French Onion Soup cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, keep the soup and cheesy croutons separate, preparing the toasts just before serving so they stay crispy and gooey.

Freezing

This soup freezes incredibly well, which makes it a lifesaver for busy weeks! Freeze the soup (without the cheese and bread) for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and making fresh toasts to top each bowl.

Reheating

Reheat your soup gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot and steaming. Toast fresh baguette slices with cheese under the broiler and serve immediately so you get that trademark gooey, melted finish with every bowl.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you adore cozy, bistro-style comfort food with deep flavor and gooey cheese, Instant Pot French Onion Soup is about to become a favorite in your kitchen. I hope you’ll give it a try, share it with those you love—and discover just how easy and rewarding homemade French onion soup can be. Bon appétit!

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