Imagine a soul-warming soup that transforms humble onions into a culinary masterpiece, without a single drop of meat! This vegetarian French onion soup is your ticket to a gourmet experience that's both incredibly simple and devastatingly delicious. With just a handful of ingredients and some kitchen magic, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices of bread
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Thinly slice the 4 onions and set them aside. Measure out the 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. Have your 4 cups of vegetable broth ready, along with salt and pepper to taste, 4 slices of bread, and 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and bubbling, add the thinly sliced onions to the pot.
- Stir the onions well to coat them in the butter. Cook the onions over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and turn translucent.
- After 10 minutes, add the 1 teaspoon of sugar to the onions. This will help caramelize the onions and enhance their sweetness. Continue to cook the onions for an additional 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and caramelized.
- Once the onions are caramelized, pour in the 4 cups of vegetable broth and add the 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the soup to simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- While the soup is simmering, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the 4 slices of bread on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy.
- After toasting, remove the bread from the oven. If desired, you can rub a garlic clove on one side of each slice for added flavor.
- To serve, ladle the hot soup into bowls. Place a slice of toasted bread on top of each bowl of soup, and then sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded cheese over each slice of bread.
- Return the bowls to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Once the cheese is melted to your liking, carefully remove the bowls from the oven. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
- Enjoy your Easy Vegetarian French Onion Soup hot, garnished with additional herbs or spices if desired.
Tips
- Slice onions uniformly to ensure even caramelization
- Use low to medium heat when caramelizing to prevent burning
- Add a pinch of sugar to help onions caramelize faster and develop deeper flavor
- Choose a high-quality vegetable broth for richer taste
- Use day-old bread for croutons to get the perfect crispy texture
- Watch the broiling process carefully to prevent cheese from burning
- For extra depth, consider adding a splash of white wine during onion caramelization
- Use a mix of cheeses like Gruyère and mozzarella for complex flavor
- Let the soup rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld
- Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley for a beautiful presentation
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 30mg
