Vegetarian French Onion Soup Recipe

Dive into the heartwarming embrace of winter with our mouthwatering creation: Vegetarian French Onion Soup, a culinary symphony that transcends traditional boundaries. This soul-soothing recipe, presented by Food with Feeling, is not just a feast for the taste buds but a celebration of comfort on cold, wintry nights.

Immerse yourself in a bowl filled with rich, aromatic flavors that effortlessly blend, creating a sensation that is as delightful as it is satisfying. This Vegan-friendly rendition of the classic French Onion Soup is a testament to the art of transforming simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Picture golden-hued, caramelized onions dancing in a pot, joined by the symphony of veggie broth, red wine, and a medley of fresh herbs. The aroma alone will transport you to a cozy kitchen, where warmth and indulgence collide. But fear not, for simplicity reigns in this recipe, making it not only a culinary triumph but an achievable delight for home cooks of all levels.

Elevate your soup experience with the addition of red wine, imparting a depth of flavor and a rich, inviting color reminiscent of the traditional beef broth version. The thoughtful combination of ingredients, from the humble onion to the indulgent Gruyere cheese, ensures that every spoonful tells a story of savory perfection.

Though the caramelization process demands patience, the journey is as rewarding as the destination. This recipe stands ready to serve, whether you’re hosting a heartwarming family dinner or seeking a delightful appetizer for a gathering of friends.

And oh, the interplay of textures! Crispy French bread, toasted to perfection, floats atop the soup, offering a compelling contrast to the luscious, melted Gruyere cheese. Choose your path: follow the classic method or opt for a simpler route; the result is a culinary triumph that will leave you craving more.

So, whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, embark on this culinary adventure with our Vegetarian French Onion Soup. Let the delightful aroma fill your kitchen, and the flavors transport you to a realm of culinary bliss. A recipe crafted not just for the palate but for the soul – because every winter night deserves the warmth of a comforting bowl of soup.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: dinner
• Method: stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Let’s unveil the culinary ingredients that transform this soup into a vegetarian masterpiece:

• Onions – the anticipated stars of any ONION soup, adding layers of flavor and a touch of whimsy to your bowl!
• Veggie broth – a beefy transformation without the beef! I swapped the traditional broth for a veggie counterpart, infusing it with a symphony of flavors that mimic the richness of meaty goodness.
• Red wine – the enchanting maestro, orchestrating an extra layer of flavor and a darker hue that rivals the traditional beef broth. If you’re skipping the vino, fear not! Exchange it for an equal measure of veggie broth, with a hint of soy sauce for that savory kick.
• French bread – the essential virtuoso, creating a harmonious crunch that elevates this soup to classic onion perfection.
• Fresh herbs – a verdant ballet of flavors! While dried herbs could make an appearance, I strongly advocate for the fresh troupe if you can swing it – an herbal crescendo awaits.
• Gruyere cheese – the optional diva, adding a luxurious layer to your soup. Omit it for a vegan rendition, or indulge in a dance of flavors with vegan cheese alternatives (may I suggest Violife’s delectable vegan parmesan?) – a choice that I HIGHLY recommend for a symphony of satisfaction!

Also: For a comforting and nutritious option, try our Potato, Carrot, and Leek Soup.

Now, let’s stage the grand finale with the bread topping:

For the classic French Onion Soup spectacle, you choreograph the culinary dance – cook up the magic, ladle it into oven-proof bowls, and then summon the showstopper: toasted French bread, generously adorned with a cascade of cheese, all set to dazzle under the broiler until the cheese achieves its melty masterpiece.

HOWEVER: If you fancy a plot twist, a shortcut beckons! Picture this – a cheese-melting affair on the toast itself, skipping the oven-broiling drama entirely. It’s a deviation from the classic script, a culinary rebel’s choice, offering the same enchanting flavors with a dash of ease. I’m a fan of the timeless classic, but this breezier act might just steal the spotlight!

Ingredients

Behold the symphony of flavors! Here’s the lineup for your culinary masterpiece:

• 3 pounds of yellow onions (about 5 large), meticulously peeled and transformed into half-moon slices – because every onion deserves a moment in the spotlight!
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil – the culinary conductor, guiding the ingredients to harmonious perfection.
• 2 tablespoons of butter (vegan, if your culinary stage demands it) – the velvety performer that adds a touch of richness to the melody.
• 1 teaspoon of sugar (coconut sugar, if you fancy) – a sweet note to balance the savory symphony.
• 1 ½ teaspoons of salt – the seasoning maestro, ensuring the perfect savory crescendo.
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced – the aromatic virtuoso, weaving its enchanting aroma into the mix.
• 8 cups of vegetable broth* – the liquid base that transforms the ingredients into a savory sonata.
• 1/2 cup of red wine** – the bold soloist, infusing the composition with depth and a hint of drama.
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire*** – the umami undertone that adds a subtle richness to the melody.
• 2 bay leaves and 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme (dried if you prefer) – the herbal ensemble, lending a fragrant backdrop to the symphony.
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper – the spicy twist that keeps the audience on their toes.
• 4 slices of French bread (or a culinary counterpart), cut into thick slices – the crunchy chorus that takes the dish to new heights.
• 1 cup of Gruyere cheese, freshly grated (optional or swap for vegan cheese) – the luxurious finale, a sprinkle of indulgence that elevates your creation to a true culinary crescendo!

Instructions:

Now, let’s choreograph this culinary dance with finesse:

1. In the grand pot of possibilities, heat up the olive oil over a medium-high fire – a prelude to the sizzling symphony to come.
2. Once the pot is ablaze, introduce the sliced onions, and let the caramelization ballet begin! Stir, swirl, and let the onions dance until they gracefully soften, a mesmerizing performance taking about 20 minutes.
3. Cue the entrance of butter, the maestro of browning! Let the onions pirouette into a golden-brown spectacle, taking an additional 15-20 minutes. Keep a vigilant eye, adjusting the heat if the onions dare to flirt with the edge of burning. Slow-cook them, let them waltz into a rich, golden brown.
4. Now, sprinkle in sugar and salt, conducting a crescendo of flavors for another 15 minutes. Witness the onions transform into a well-browned masterpiece. In the final minutes, add the garlic, and let its aromatic notes join the culinary ballet.
5. Time to deglaze the pot! Pour in the red wine, guiding a wooden spoon to a rhythm that scrapes and gathers all the flavorful bits from the pot’s sides and bottom. Add the veggie broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, thyme, and black pepper. Bring this flavorful composition to a simmer, cover it, and let it harmonize for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally, like a well-timed refrain.
6. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F – the stage is set for the toasting interlude! Brush or spray the slices of bread with oil, and let them bask on a baking sheet, toasting for 10 minutes, with a graceful flip halfway through. A brief performance, achieving a light, toasty encore. Set aside, let the bread catch its breath.
7. Season the soup with an encore of salt and pepper, adjusting the flavors to your liking. Ladle the aromatic concoction into oven-proof bowls, crown it with the toasted bread, and sprinkle the cheese like a glittering finale. Assemble these bowls on a grand baking tray, usher them into the oven, and let the broiling act commence! Watch as the cheese swirls and bubbles into a golden crescendo.
8. It’s time for the grand finale! Serve immediately and let the applause begin – for you, the culinary virtuoso. ENJOY the standing ovation of flavors!
9. Also: Cool down with our Sweet Corn Gazpacho! Check this guide.

Nutrition

Let’s hit the right notes in this culinary score with some key insights:

Navigating the sodium seas: Veggie broths, like musical genres, can vary in sodium levels. If your broth hits the low-sodium octave, consider a smidge more salt to keep the soup singing in perfect harmony.

Wine selection duet: Picture a merlot or pinot noir as the ideal dance partner for this recipe. Their flavors waltz seamlessly with the composition, creating a delightful duet that elevates the experience.

Anchovy alert!: Before you embark on this culinary journey, double-check the Worcestershire sauce’s guest list. Some uninvited anchovies might sneak in, and we’re aiming for a vegetarian gala!

Bread-bowl acrobatics: No oven-proof bowls? No problem! We’ve got a cheese-melting workaround. Imagine the toast stealing the spotlight, wearing its cheesy crown, skipping the broiling finale. A culinary shortcut without compromising the show!