Description
This Instant Pot French Onion Soup recipe offers a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic French comfort dish. Caramelized onions are sautéed, then combined with rich beef broth and aromatic herbs, all cooked under pressure to develop deep flavors. The soup is topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyere cheese, finished under the broiler for a perfect golden crust. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a warm, savory meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 10 medium-sized yellow onions, sliced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 6 cups beef broth
Toppings
- 6 slices baguette, sliced about 1/2 inch thick
- 3/4 cup Gruyere (Swiss) cheese, grated
Instructions
- Saute the Onions: Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the butter. Sauté the sliced yellow onions for 15 minutes until they begin to brown, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom to prevent burning.
- Add Seasoning and Flour: Stir in salt, pepper, dried thyme, and flour until the onions are well coated. Pour in the red wine and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes to reduce some of the liquid.
- Pressure Cook the Soup: Pour in the beef broth and secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is set to seal. Select the pressure cook function on high and cook for 5 minutes. The pot will take about 5-10 minutes to reach pressure before the timer starts.
- Release Pressure and Prepare Toppings: Perform a quick release of pressure by carefully flipping the valve. Once the pressure gauge drops and the lid opens easily, remove the lid. Preheat your oven’s broiler to high. Slice the baguette and grate the Gruyere cheese.
- Broil with Baguette and Cheese: Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls or ramekins. Top each with a slice of baguette and sprinkle grated Gruyere over the top. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to melt the cheese without burning it.
- Serve: Remove the bowls from the oven once the cheese is bubbly and browned to your liking. Serve immediately and enjoy your comforting French onion soup!
Notes
- Use medium-sized yellow onions for the best flavor and caramelization.
- Scraping the Instant Pot bottom while sautéing prevents onions from sticking and burning.
- Perform quick pressure release carefully to avoid steam burns.
- Baguette slices can be toasted slightly before adding cheese for extra crunch.
- Watch the soup closely while broiling to prevent the cheese from burning.
- Gruyere cheese can be substituted with Swiss or another melting cheese if preferred.
