Instant Pot French Onion Soup is a fast, flavorful take on the classic. Sweet caramelized onions, a touch of brown sugar, and savory beef stock combine for a rich base finished with toasted baguette and melted cheese.
This soup works well as a main course or a cozy side. It pairs nicely with roasted or baked chicken, simple pasta with pesto, or a hearty pot roast. If you enjoy these flavors, try similar dishes like French onion chicken or pork chops for an easy twist.
Instant Pot French Onion Soup Ingredients
To prepare this Instant Pot French onion soup, gather the following ingredients. Exact quantities and steps are listed in the recipe card below.
- Yellow onions
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Garlic cloves
- Flour
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Beef stock
- White American cheese
- French baguette
Kitchen Tools
For best results you’ll need an electric pressure cooker such as an Instant Pot and oven-safe bowls or ramekins to finish the soup under the broiler.
The Instant Pot Duo is a versatile multi-cooker that makes sautéing and pressure cooking simple for this recipe.
How to Make French Onion Soup in an Instant Pot
Cooking French onion soup in a pressure cooker speeds up caramelization and concentrates flavor. The method is straightforward and delivers great results in under an hour.
- Sauté the onions: Add sliced onions and butter to the Instant Pot and select the sauté setting. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions soften and become translucent. Stir in brown sugar and continue sautéing until it dissolves and helps the onions caramelize, about 3–5 minutes. Turn off the pot.
- Pressure cook: Add the flour, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and beef stock. Stir to combine, then secure the lid and set the steam release to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a natural release for 10 minutes before venting the remaining steam.
- Prepare the bread: Toast slices of baguette or place them on a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Finish under the broiler: Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top each with a slice of toasted bread and a generous amount of cheese. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil on high for 3–5 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns golden.
- Serve: Carefully remove the hot bowls from the oven and serve immediately.
Substitutions and Add-Ins
- Use croutons or a different crusty bread instead of baguette.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, whisk a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the hot soup; allow 5–10 minutes to thicken.
- Swap or blend cheeses: American, Cheddar, Swiss, or Gruyère all work well—use shredded or sliced depending on preference.
Instant Pot French Onion Soup
Ingredients
- 4 large yellow onions, cut into curved slices
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups beef stock
- 1 cup white American cheese, sliced or shredded
- 1 French baguette
Instructions
- Place onions and butter in the Instant Pot and select sauté. Cook until onions soften and become translucent. Stir in brown sugar and sauté 3–5 minutes more, then turn off the pot.
- Add flour, garlic, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and pour beef stock over the top. Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes, then release remaining steam.
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls.
- Toast baguette slices or broil on a baking sheet for 3–5 minutes. Place a slice on each bowl before adding cheese.
- Top with cheese and broil on high for 3–5 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided as a general guide.
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