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Gooey cheese, crusty bread, caramelized and a rich beef broth...this instant pot French onion soup is ultra easy to make right in the pressure cooker!
Instead of spending 45 minutes over the stove caramelizing onions for classic French onion soup, they are cooked right in the Instant Pot. It makes it SUPER easy to make.
Cooked with a rich beef broth, lots of butter, caramelized onions, sherry and herbs, then topped with crusty French bread and Gruyere cheese and broiled to gooey perfection, this is the best French onion soup!
This instant pot soup is GOOD guys. I am just in love with how easy it comes together and how wonderful it tastes with the crusty bread and bubbly melted cheese, like these French onion pork chops.
Plus, who can say no to cleaning only one pot?
Why this instant pot french onion soup recipe works
- The instant pot makes it ultra easy to make with very little hands-on time like our favorite instant pot bean soup!
- You can make instant pot French onion soup all in one pot so you don't have to worry about a lot of cleanup - wash one pot and you're done!
- It's great made in advance then broiled with the bread and cheese once you're ready to serve it. It can even be frozen for convenience.
- While caramelizing onions is usually very time consuming, the instant pot cuts that time way down for this recipe, and it's much less labor intensive.
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Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts make this instant pot recipe are included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
I like to use yellow onions for their bright flavor, but any kind of onion can be used in this recipe.
Gruyere is the best cheese for French onion soup, however, you can substitute Swiss, Jarlsberg, or Emmantheler.
I STRONGLY recommend using slow cooker beef bone broth for this recipe as the flavor will be better. However, store bought beef stock will work for convenience as well.
A nice crusty French baguette is the best bread to use for French Onion Soup. However, you can also use crusty sourdough or any crusty homemade bread.
We use dry sherry to add an earthy, sweet flavor to the soup. You can substitute a dry white wine, red wine, or omit entirely if you prefer not to use alcohol. You can also add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce instead of the wine.
Step by step instructions
- Melt the butter in the Instant Pot on the sauté setting. Add the onions and stir to coat with the butter.
- Place the lid on and switch the Instant Pot to the pressure setting and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Use the quick pressure release to release pressure and remove the lid.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté and simmer / cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions start to turn brown and much of the liquid has evaporated.
- Add the garlic, sherry, beef broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper and stir, scraping the brown bits off the bottom of the pot. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Use the quick release to release the pressure.
- While the soup is cooking, slice the baguette into 1 inch slices. Ladle the soup into individual oven proof crocks or bowls.
- Place 1-2 baguette slices (or croutons if using) over the soup and sprinkle with about ⅛ of the grated Gruyere.
- Place the bowls on a baking sheet under the broiler until the cheese is melted and browned, a cook time of about 2-3 minutes. Be sure to watch it under the broiler to ensure it doesn't burn. All broilers act a little different.
Make it a meal by serving this soup alongside this chicken liver mousse as an appetizer or as a meal with something light and fresh like this grilled peach salad or this raw zucchini salad.
Expert Tips
- Adjust salt to taste. Depending on the beef broth you use, it may contain more sodium than others. The recipe calls for a minimal amount of salt, but you will likely need to adjust it if using unsalted/low sodium broth.
- Keep a close eye on the soup while broiling to ensure it doesn't burn.
- Make sure you use ovenproof dishes when broiling the soup.
Frequently asked questions
To make the soup in advance, follow all the steps to make the soup, except for topping with bread and cheese and broiling. French onion soup may be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, or you can freeze the soup for up to 6 months.
When ready to eat, warm the soup on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. Top with bread and cheese and broil until the cheese is melted and browned on the edges.
Store leftover onion soup without cheese or toasted bread, in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 3-6 months.
When ready to eat, cook the soup on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Top with bread and cheese and broil until the cheese is melted and browned on the edges.
More instant pot soup recipes
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Recipe
Instant Pot French Onion Soup
Ingredients
- 6 medium yellow onions thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup sherry
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 12 ounces Gruyere cheese shredded
- 1 French baguette
Instructions
- Melt the butter in the Instant Pot on the sauté setting. Add the onions and stir to coat with the butter.
- Switch the Instant Pot to the pressure setting and cook on high for 20 minutes. Use the quick release to release the pressure.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions start to turn brown and much of the liquid has evaporated.
- Add the garlic, sherry, beef broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
- Use the quick release to release the pressure.
- While the soup is cooking, slice the baguette into 1 inch slices.
- Ladle the soup into individual oven proof crocks.
- Place 1-2 slices of bread over the soup and sprinkle with about ⅛ cup of the grated Gruyere.
- Place under the broiler until the cheese is melted and browned, about 2-3 minutes. Be sure to watch it under the broiler to ensure it doesn't burn. All broilers act a little different.
Expert Tips:
-
- Adjust salt to taste. Depending on the beef broth you use, it may contain more sodium than others. The recipe calls for a minimal amount of salt, but you will likely need to adjust it if using unsalted/low sodium broth.
-
- Keep a close eye on the soup while broiling to ensure it doesn't burn.
-
- Make sure you use ovenproof dishes when broiling the soup.
Nutrition
Jenn B says
How do you get thru step 2 without getting a burn message. There’s no liquid added. Help!
Danielle says
I'm so sorry you're getting a burn notice. Usually the onions release liquid and along with the butter provide enough liquid to prevent that from happening. If you keep getting it, you can add a few tablespoons of the beef broth to see if that help. Let me know if that works for you!
Lisa Chasteen says
I had the same question! So I added 1 cup of the broth as I have read there must be at least 1 cup to create steam. However, that made the onions too mushy. But the taste was AWESOME! Will try the couple of tablespoons next time.
Danielle says
I'm glad you liked the flavor! Sorry the onions came out mushy, I would def try just a touch of broth next time if you get the burn notice.
Terry says
One thing my girlfriend taught me to do for this is substitute croutons for the bread. Oh my really good & dont have to fight with cutting in the bread. We used herb & garlic croutons, but you porobaby could use any flavour you like
Danielle says
That's a great tip!
Mahy says
I've been sceptical about onion soups, but your recipe made me change my mind. This is the soup that I would be excited to order or to make at home myself. And the instructions seem unbelievably easy, which is perfect! Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe! 🙂
Danielle says
You're welcome Mahy 🙂
Scarlet says
This looks like a real classic french onion soup recipe. Yummy!
Danielle says
Thanks!
Krissy Allori says
French onion soup is one of my favorites and I've never made it in the IP until now. So good!
Danielle says
So glad you like it!
Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table says
This is absolutely stunning! The perfect winter comfort food. I recently got an InstantPot for my birthday and can't wait to try making this.
Danielle says
Hope you love it!
Katherine says
I absolutely ADORE French onion soup. I love that this is an IP version.
Danielle says
Makes it ready even quicker 🙂
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
French onion soup in a pressure cooker sounds like it's much easier to do and still absolutely delicious!
Danielle says
Totally!
layla says
French onion soup is the best!
Corey Brashers says
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Jean says
Looks delicious! Want to try this one.
Danielle@wenthere8this says
Thanks! It's good, and so easy too.