Instant Pot French Onion Soup
Craving rich French Onion Soup? This Instant Pot version is ready in under an hour! Caramelized onions & cheesy croutons make it proper comfort food. Get the easy recipe!

- Instant Pot French Onion Soup: The Quick & Easy Bistro Classic
- Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe Card
- Why You'll Love This French Onion Soup
- Let's Talk Ingredients
- Ingredients & Equipment
- Cooking Method: Instant Pot French Onion Soup – Proper Easy!
- Recipe Notes: Little Things That Matter
- Frequently Asked Questions
Alright, let's dive into the world of instant pot french onion soup ! ever crave that classic bistro flavor but can't be bothered with hours of simmering? you know, sometimes you just need something easy and comforting, right now.
Honestly, this recipe delivers that rich, deep flavour of traditional french onion soup in a fraction of the time.
Instant Pot French Onion Soup: The Quick & Easy Bistro Classic
This isn't your grandma's all-day affair. this instant pot pasta recipe delivers that same comforting hug in a bowl. the caramelized onions are key here.
It is mixed with a savory broth, and a cheesy crouton topping. this soup is proper good comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening or a fancy-ish lunch, and so good, you'll eat better .
This classic soup has roots in roman times. it was popularized in 18th-century france. our best instant pot recipe makes it accessible for a weeknight dinner.
It’s an easy instant pot recipe , it is ready in under an hour. this recipe yields 6 servings. it is perfect for sharing with family or friends.
Instant Pot French Onion Soup Recipe Card

⚖️ Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (30g)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 3 lbs / 1.4 kg)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry sherry (60 ml)
- 8 cups beef broth (2 liters) - low sodium recommended
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1-inch thick rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (about 1 cup) (113g)
🥄 Instructions:
- Melt butter and olive oil in the Instant Pot using the sauté function. Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened and starting to caramelize (about 15 minutes).
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Deglaze the pot with dry sherry, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Add beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir to combine. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set to cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
- While the soup is cooking, toss baguette slices with olive oil and toast them lightly in a toaster oven or under the broiler.
- Remove bay leaves from soup. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with croutons and a generous amount of Gruyère cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly. Alternatively, serve soup in regular bowls with a cheesy crouton on top.
Why You'll Love This French Onion Soup
One of the top benefits? it's packed with flavor. the onions become incredibly sweet and caramelized using the instant pot pressure cooker .
And let’s not forget the health factor. onions are known to boost your immune system. this is a pressure cooker recipe that warms you from the inside out.
What makes it special? it's the speed and ease without sacrificing flavor. forget slow cooking pot roast recipes !
Let's Talk Ingredients
Ready to get started? here’s what you’ll need. the key is good quality ingredients. also do not rush the onions.
This includes 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 large yellow onions (thinly sliced), 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1/4 cup dry sherry, 8 cups beef broth, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 baguette (sliced), 2 tablespoons olive oil (for croutons), and 4 ounces gruyère cheese (grated).
Time to get cooking some instant pot dinner recipes ! you might want to try some roast recipes !
Right then, let's dive into what you'll need for this instant pot french onion soup , shall we? honestly, it's dead easy once you've got your bits and bobs sorted.
This is gonna be the best instant pot recipe you try this week, i reckon.
Ingredients & Equipment
Main Ingredients
Right, here's the shopping list, then. We're making enough for about 6 hungry souls.
- Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons (that’s 30g , for you metric lot). Go for proper butter, the flavour makes all the difference.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons ( 30ml ). Nothing too fancy, just decent stuff.
- Yellow Onions: 3 large , thinly sliced (about 3 lbs / 1.4 kg ). Now, quality is key here. You want firm, heavy onions. No squishy ones!
- Granulated Sugar: 1 teaspoon. Just a pinch to help them caramelize nicely.
- Kosher Salt: 1/2 teaspoon. To season those lovely onions.
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon. Freshly cracked, if you've got it.
- Garlic: 4 cloves , minced. Adds a bit of a punch, you know?
- Dry Sherry: 1/4 cup ( 60 ml ). This adds a lovely depth of flavour. Don't skip it!
- Beef Broth: 8 cups ( 2 liters ). Low sodium is best so you can control the salt. This is the backbone of the soup. It really makes it a great Instant Pot Dinner Recipes.
- Bay Leaves: 2. These little blighters add a subtle aroma.
- Dried Thyme: 1 teaspoon. For that classic French flavour.
- Baguette: 1, sliced into 1-inch thick rounds. Important bit : Use a decent baguette. A stale one won't do.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons. For toasting the croutons.
- Gruyère Cheese: 4 ounces , grated (about 1 cup ) ( 113g ). Gruyère is the king of cheeses for this. Seriously, don't scrimp on the cheese . It needs to be good quality.
Seasoning Notes
Right, about the flavour... the spice combo is pretty simple: salt, pepper, thyme, bay leaves. bang on! but sherry's important.
It enhances everything. if you're out, dry white wine or even a splash of apple cider vinegar ( 1 tablespoon ) can work in a pinch.
I've got a mate who always adds a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. it's not traditional, but tasty.
Also, a teaspoon of worcestershire sauce adds even more richness and umami. try it!. it really compliments these pot roast recipes nicely!
Equipment Needed
You'll need:
- 6-quart Instant Pot . A Pressure Cooker Recipes like this is a breeze in one of these. This is a great Easy Instant Pot Recipes .
- Chopping board
- A good knife
- Wooden spoon
- Soup bowls (oven-safe if you wanna get fancy)
- Broiler (if you're using oven-safe bowls)
No need for anything too flash. honestly, if you haven't got an instant pot, you can eat better with this recipe, or try to use a regular pressure cooker but it won't be quite as quick.
You can do this as a roast recipes . i can give you some tips on that too, if you need it.
Now, where's my apron? Time to make some magic.

Alright, let's talk Instant Pot French Onion Soup . Fancy, innit? But dead easy to make at home.
Cooking Method: Instant Pot French Onion Soup – Proper Easy!
Look, everyone loves french onion soup . that rich, savory flavour is just chef's kiss . but honestly, who has hours to stand over a stove caramelizing onions? that's where the instant pot pressure cooker comes in.
Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks in a Row
First things first, essential mise en place . basically, chop everything! slice those 3 large yellow onions (about 3 lbs). mince 4 cloves of garlic.
Slice that baguette. grate 4 ounces (1 cup) of gruyère. this makes cooking a breeze.
Time-saving organization tip: Use separate bowls for your prepped ingredients. Keeps things tidy! Safety? Just mind your fingers with that knife, yeah?
Step-by-Step: From Zero to Hero in Minutes
Here’s how to nail this Best Instant Pot Recipe :
- Sauté Onions: Melt 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in the Instant Pot . Add onions, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes . Stir often until softened and starting to brown.
- Garlic and Sherry Time: Stir in garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Pour in 1/4 cup dry sherry. Scrape the bottom to get all the tasty bits.
- Pressure Magic: Add 8 cups beef broth, 2 bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon thyme. Stir. Close the lid. Set to high pressure for 15 minutes .
- Natural Release: Let it release naturally for 10 minutes . Then, quick release the rest.
- Crouton Time: Toss baguette slices with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toast them in a toaster oven. Get them lightly golden.
- Assemble and Broil: Remove bay leaves. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top with croutons and Gruyère. Broil until cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: If you do not have oven safe bowls, just put cheese and croutons at the top.
Visual Cue: Onions should be a deep golden brown. Cheese should be melted and bubbly.
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Soup Game
Don't rush the onions. That's key!
Use good broth! Low sodium is best.
Common mistake: forgetting to scrape the bottom. this adds loads of flavour. for great pot roast recipes or instant pot pasta recipe , these are all good ideas to create your instant pot dinner recipes .
This Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Pressure Cooker Recipes is Pot Roast Recipes for beginners.
Honestly, it’s easier than it sounds. This is a brilliant addition to your Roast Recipes repetoire! This could help you Eat Better by making it at home instead of grabbing take out.
Right then, let's chat about the finer points of this Instant Pot French Onion Soup shall we? It's more than just chucking ingredients in, you know?
Recipe Notes: Little Things That Matter
Honestly, the devil's in the details. Here's what I've learned from making this Best Instant Pot Recipe countless times.
Serving Suggestions: Elevate Your Soup Game
Presentation is key, innit? Ladle the instant pot french onion soup into oven-safe bowls. Get some nice crusty bread to go along with it.
Want to be proper fancy? pop a sprig of thyme on top. a simple green salad balances the richness. i always think of this instant pot dinner recipes when i want something quick and easy, but also feels a bit special.
A dry red wine? oh my gosh, perfect!
Storage Tips: Making it Last
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Easy Instant Pot Recipes keeps well.
Pop the soup in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. if you want to freeze it, let it cool completely first.
Store it for up to 2 months. when reheating, just give it a good stir on the hob. remember not to freeze with the croutons.
Variations: Make It Your Own
Eat better adapting this instant pot pasta recipe is easy. need a vegetarian version? just swap out the beef broth for vegetable broth.
This is one of my favourite pot roast recipes to adapt as it gives a hearty warming feeling. want it gluten-free? use a gluten-free baguette for the croutons.
Fancy a bit of heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the onions. Play around! This is one of the best Roast Recipes and is super easy to modify!
Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bowl
Each serving has about 350 calories. it's got 25g of protein, keeping you full and happy. plus, you'll get a bit of fiber and essential nutrients.
The instant pot pressure cooker locks in all the goodness. of course, the exact nutrition depends on your ingredients, but it's a decent guide.
So there you have it. All the little secrets to making this Pressure Cooker Recipes absolutely brilliant. Give it a go. You'll nail it!

Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Instant Pot help with French Onion Soup? Isn't it usually a long process?
Spot on! Traditionally, French Onion Soup takes ages to caramelize the onions, which is the key to its flavour. The Instant Pot's sauté function speeds up this process considerably, getting you that rich, deep flavour in a fraction of the time. It's like having Mary Berry give you a helping hand in the kitchen!
Can I make this Instant Pot French Onion Soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply swap out the beef broth for a good quality vegetable broth. For a richer flavour, you could also add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a dash of Worcestershire sauce (check it's vegetarian, some contain anchovies) to mimic the umami depth of the beef broth. Sorted!
My Instant Pot French Onion Soup tasted a bit bland. What did I do wrong?
The most common culprit is rushing the caramelization process. Make sure your onions are a proper golden brown before adding the broth. Also, ensure you're using a good quality broth and don't be afraid to season generously with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust after pressure cooking - a little extra salt can make a big difference, just like adding that final pinch of magic dust!
Can I make Instant Pot French Onion Soup ahead of time and how do I store it?
You certainly can! This soup actually tastes even better the next day after the flavours have had a chance to meld. Store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, bring it to a simmer on the stovetop or microwave it until heated through. Don't add the croutons and cheese until just before serving to prevent them from getting soggy – nobody wants a soggy bottom!
Is there anything I can substitute for the sherry in this Instant Pot French Onion Soup recipe?
No worries if you're out of sherry! A dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, works beautifully as a substitute. Alternatively, you can use a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to add a touch of acidity, which balances the sweetness of the onions. Just remember a little goes a long way!
How do I get that perfectly browned cheese topping without burning the soup?
Ah, the key is to use oven-safe bowls and keep a close eye on it under the broiler. Pre-heat your broiler and place the soup-filled bowls on a baking sheet on the top rack. Broil for just a minute or two, until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown. Watch it like a hawk to prevent burning! A kitchen timer is your best friend here.
Previous Recipe: Fluffy Coconut Flour Pancakes: My Go-To Gluten-Free Recipe!
Next Recipe: Sautéed Zucchini: Best Way To Cook This Summer Veg!