Vegan French Onion Soup Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

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4.94 from 16 votes

This easy vegan French onion soup recipe is hearty, comforting, and very tasty. Caramelized onions, red wine, and fresh thyme add lots of flavors. The soup is topped with the most delicious plant-based cheese baguette!

Vegan French Onion Soup Recipe - Elavegan (1)

Homemade Vegan French Onion Soup

Hello! I am back with another delicious onion recipe! You guys loved my Caramelized Onion Tart so much, therefore, I decided to share this French onion soup recipe with you!

Onions – either you hate them or love them. I LOVE them and enjoy them almost daily. Not only are they very healthy (read further down below for more information), but they also add a very nice flavor to almost all savory dishes. Especially caramelized onions. They are so damn good!

This recipe is not a traditional French onion soup because I added a healthy twist, which you might love as much as I do.

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How To Make Vegan French Onion Soup?

As mentioned before, this is not a classic or original French onion soup because I love to add a healthy and unique twist to all my recipes. Most French onion soups are quite boring in my opinion, therefore, I added red lentils to the soup. I will tell you later why I did it.

Now, let’s see how easy this soup recipe is. Full instructions and measurements are in the recipe card below!

STEP 1: You will need to caramelize the onions first. This step takes quite a while but is very important, as we want the onions nicely caramelized and flavorful. Don’t rush and turn the heat too high because this might burn the onions, and we don’t want that.

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STEP 2: Once the onions are nicely caramelized and soft, you can add the garlic and thyme. I used fresh thyme but feel free to use dry thyme.

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STEP 3:Add the wine and let simmer until reduced almost completely. Also, add the lentils, veggie broth, and bay leaves. If you don’t want to use lentils, you can thicken the soup now with 2 tbsp of flour or cornstarch. Bring the soup to a boil and let it cook on low heat for about 20 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

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STEP 4:Meanwhile, slice your favorite bread and pick your favorite vegan cheese. I made my Easy Vegan Cheese Saucewhich takes less than 5 minutes. Toast the bread until nicely brown and add cheese on top once the soup is done.

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STEP 5: Remove the bay leaves from the soup. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings. Add more salt/pepper/thyme to taste and also add tamari or soy sauce.

STEP 6: Pour the soup into oven-safe small bowls. Place one to two slices of bread on top of each soup bowl. You can add even more vegan cheese of choice (e.g. vegan mozzarella). Place the bowls under the broiler for a couple of minutes or until the cheese gets bubbly. Serve immediately.

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Why Red Lentils?

Lentils will slightly thicken the soup and furthermore add healthy plant-based protein. They add an interesting touch to this vegan French onion soup and make it even more delicious, in my opinion. If you aren’t a fan of lentils, simply leave them out. You can easily thicken the soup with flour or cornstarch.

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Are Onions Healthy?

Absolutely! Onions are super healthy. They contain lots of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. In this article, I read about 9 incredible health benefits of onions which I want to share with you.

1. Packed With Nutrients

Onions are low in calories yet high in nutrients, including vitamin C, B vitamins and potassium.

2. May Benefit Heart Health

Research shows that eating onions may help reduce heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated triglyceride levels and inflammation.

3. Loaded With Antioxidants

Red onions are rich in anthocyanins, which are powerful plant pigments that may protect against heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes.

4. Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds

A diet rich in allium vegetables like onions may have a protective effect against certain cancers.

5. Help Control Blood Sugar

Due to the many beneficial compounds found in onions, consuming them may help reduce high blood sugar.

Read the full article to find out what the other impressive health benefits of onions are.

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This Vegan French Onion Soup Is:

  • Plant-based (dairy-free)
  • Gluten-free (if using gluten-free bread)
  • Soy-free
  • Satisfying
  • Comforting
  • Flavorful
  • Perfect for the holidays as an appetizer
  • Healthier than most French onion soups
  • Easy to make

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Should you give this French onion soup a try, please leave a comment and rating below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I love to see your remake! 🙂

For more savory holiday dishes, check out the following delicious healthy vegan recipes:

  • Caramelized Onion Tart
  • Vegan Green Bean Casserole
  • Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
  • Hearty Vegan Meatloaf
  • Vegan Quiche
  • Vegan Gravy
  • Roasted Cauliflower Steaks (Vegan Schnitzel)

Vegan French Onion Soup Recipe - Elavegan (12)

Vegan French Onion Soup

Author: Michaela Vais

This easy vegan French onion soup recipe is hearty, comforting, and very tasty. Caramelized onions, red wine, and fresh thyme add lots of flavors. The soup is topped with the most delicious plant-based cheese baguette!

4.94 from 16 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Entree, Soup

Cuisine French

Servings 4

Calories 444 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp vegan butter (see notes)
  • 5 medium (1000 g) onions sliced
  • 3-4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) red wine (see notes)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) red lentils (see notes)
  • 5 cups (1200 ml) vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 tsp sea salt or more to taste
  • Black ground pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
  • 1/2 baguette or bread of choice (gluten-free if needed)
  • 6 oz (180 g) vegan cheese of choice

Instructions

  • This recipe has a video for easy visual instructions.

  • Heat vegan butter in a large pot over medium heat and add the onions. Cook on low to medium heat until soft and caramelized, about 40 minutes, stirring every few minutes to avoid burning. After about 20 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Once the onions are caramelized and soft, add garlic and thyme and sauté for about 1 minute.

  • Stir in the wine and let simmer for about 5-6 minutes or until the wine is reduced almost completely. Add the lentils (if you don't want to use lentils, you can thicken the soup now with 2 tbsp of flour or cornstarch) and also add the vegetable broth, and bay leaves.

  • Bring the soup to a boil and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the lentils are tender, stirring occasionally.

  • Meanwhile, slice your favorite bread (check my Gluten-Free Bread Recipe) and pick your favorite vegan cheese. I made my Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce.

  • Once the soup is done, carefully remove the bay leaves. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings. Add more salt/pepper/thyme to taste and also add tamari or soy sauce.

  • Preheat the broiler and toast the bread until nicely brown. Add vegan cheese on top.

  • Pour the soup into oven-safe small bowls. Place one to two slices of bread on top of each soup bowl. Place the bowls under the broiler for a couple of minutes or until the cheese gets bubbly.

  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can use vegan margarine or oil (e.g. olive oil) instead of vegan butter.
  • Use a dry red wine. White wine is fine as well. If you don't want to use wine, simply skip it and use 2-3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar instead.
  • I used red lentils to add a healthy twist to this French Onion Soup. Lentils will thicken the soup, and they also add healthy plant-based protein. If you don't want to use lentils, I would suggest thickening the soup with 2 tbsp of flour (or cornstarch).
  • Feel free to add more herbs or spices of choice. I sometimes also add rosemary and red pepper flakes.
  • Recipe serves 4. Nutrition facts are for one serving.

Nutrition Facts

Vegan French Onion Soup

Amount per Serving

Calories

444

% Daily Value*

Fat

15

g

23

%

Saturated Fat

5

g

25

%

Carbohydrates

58

g

19

%

Fiber

12

g

48

%

Sugar

9

g

10

%

Protein

12

g

24

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

Vegan French Onion Soup Recipe - Elavegan (13) Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!

If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:

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Vegan French Onion Soup Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

FAQs

How do you deepen the flavor of French onion soup? ›

My personal go-tos include worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, and brandy. Each deepens the flavor of french onion soup. Balsamic vinegar and soy sauce are other great options.

What is the difference between French onion soup and English onion soup? ›

The two soups are very similar, yet quite different. Both make use of slowly cooked, caramelized onions. However, the French version always uses beef stock, baguette, and Swiss or Gruyere cheese. The English version uses any type of stock (beef, chicken, or vegetable) with any sturdy bread and Cheddar cheese.

Is French onion soup for the poor? ›

Traditionally, French onion soup - soupe à l'oignon - is a poor man's dish based on one simple, common ingredient available to everyone pretty much everywhere: the onion.

What is a good substitute for cheese in French onion soup? ›

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

Cheese: To me, there is no better cheese in a French onion soup than Gruyere! However, shredded Swiss or provolone also works very well. Just be sure to find something that is easily shredded or grated, as that's what will give you that amazing gooey, melty cheese we all love.

Why do you put baking soda in French onion soup? ›

Baking soda speeds up browning (that Maillard reaction you may have heard about) and leads to softer onions by breaking down the cells faster. And heat? Well, naturally, food cooks faster at a higher temperature, and the addition of water here reduces the risk of burning and better distributes all the sugars.

What can I add to soup for depth of flavor? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says.

Why did Panera change their French onion soup? ›

First, it removed the French Onion Soup, a staple on the menu for over 20 years, to make room for seasonal menu items in June. Then, it was revealed the brand was heating up frozen dishes. In a change from their previous social media reactions to public outcry, the St.

What ethnicity is French onion soup? ›

The classic French onion soup gets its name from its country of origin: France. After making its debut in the 18th century, it has become a national treasure. During ancient times (and still today), onions were cheap and easy to grow, and hence, readily available.

Why do French people eat French onion soup? ›

It was originally meant to be eaten after a family reunion in the middle of the night to cure hangovers… If you want to know the true story of the unmissable onion soup and how to cook this cozy, warm and flavorful dish at home with the original recipe, this is the right place!

Is French onion soup good for your gut? ›

Onions are a great source of soluble fibre and therefore a good prebiotic; food for the good gut bacteria. Optimal gut health is crucial for weight loss and this delicious soup provides great nutrients to help boost weight loss as part of a weight management programme.

What is the etiquette for eating French onion soup? ›

With such a soup, a knife is your friend, not your enemy. Using both the soup spoon and the knife, push the baked cheese against the rim of the cup or bowl and cut it gently with the knife. Once you've broken the cheese barrier, you can use the knife again to nudge bits of cheese onto the spoon.

Why do you add flour to French onion soup? ›

Onion soup, at its very essence, is nothing more than onions and water boiled together. Period, done, finished, everything added from that point on is pure opinion. Caramelizing the onions brings out sugars, and makes a more luxurious silky and sweet soup, adding flour gently thickens and provides body.

What can I use instead of thyme in French onion soup? ›

What is a Good Thyme Substitute in French Onion Soup? Thyme adds a lot of flavor to french onion soup, but if you don't have any on hand you can use herbs de provence, bay leaf, or oregano to be sure your soup will not be dull.

What is the best wine to use in French onion soup? ›

Wine is optional to deglaze the pan and add flavour to the soup. I recommend a dry white or red wine, such as a good quality Pinot Grigio/Gris, Sauv Blanc, Sémillon, Chardonnay, Merlot or Pinot Noir. Generally, if you can't drink it, don't cook with it.

Can you use red onion instead of yellow in French onion soup? ›

Notes. Yellow onions are your best all-purpose bet for this soup, but a mix of yellow, sweet (e.g., Vidalia), and red onions, as well as shallots, produces an even more complex flavor.

What to add to bland French onion soup? ›

Fix a bland onion soup by using supermarket broth and mild white onions, tasteless oil for sauteeing, stale plain white bread instead of croutons, and mild white cheese. Start by reducing the broth. Simmering out some water will intensify the flavor of the broth. Once you get it to the right point, add some salt.

How do you doctor up canned French onion soup? ›

Fresh or dried herbs can also help elevate your French onion soup, with bay leaves, sage, and thyme all being typical additions. You may also want to add a smidgen of salt if the soup is too bland or even some sugar to better simulate the caramelized quality that those canned onions probably lack.

How do you make soup taste stronger? ›

Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meats or broth, and fresh herbs to add depth of flavor. Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex.

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