Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Cheese Recipe

If you’re craving a cozy, rich, and utterly comforting bowl of soup that practically melts in your mouth, you’re going to love this Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Cheese Recipe. Trust me, I’ve made my fair share of French onion soups, and using the Instant Pot not only saves a ton of time but also brings out such deep, caramelized onion flavors. Plus, the cheesy bubbly topping? Pure heaven. Keep reading, because I’m sharing all the tips I’ve learned along the way to make your experience foolproof and super delicious.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Cheese Recipe is truly in the quality and harmony of its few ingredients. Using yellow onions gives you the right balance of sweetness and depth, while the Gruyere cheese adds a creamy nuttiness that melts perfectly every time.

• Butter: Essential for sauteing the onions and adding richness.
• Yellow Onions: I always opt for yellow because they caramelize beautifully, bringing that signature flavor.
• Salt & Pepper: Seasoning that brings out the onion’s natural sweetness.
• Dried Thyme: A subtle earthy note that complements the soup’s depth.
• Flour: Helps slightly thicken the broth for a luscious texture.
• Red Wine: Adds complexity and a bit of acidity that brightens the soup.
• Beef Broth: The backbone of the soup, rich and savory for that classic French onion base.
• Baguette: Toasted and used as a topping, soaking up all the delicious broth.
• Gruyere Cheese: Melts into a bubbling golden crust and gives the soup its signature finish.

Variations

I love adapting this Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Cheese Recipe depending on what I have on hand or the occasion. Feel free to make it your own – the base is forgiving and so versatile.

• Cheese Swap: I’ve tried Emmental and mozzarella when Gruyere isn’t available, and both create a lovely melting topping.
• Vegetarian Version: Substitute the beef broth with a rich mushroom broth for a delicious vegetarian take.
• Wine Variations: You can swap red wine for dry white wine or even sherry, each adding a slightly different twist.
• Herb Mix: Adding fresh thyme or rosemary instead of dried spices gives a fragrant aroma that makes the kitchen smell amazing.

How to Make Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Caramelize those Onions Like a Pro

Start by turning your Instant Pot to saute mode and adding the butter. Once melted, toss in your sliced yellow onions. You’ll want to stir them occasionally over about 15 minutes, scraping up those little browned bits from the bottom as you go. This is the foundation of flavor, so be patient! The onions should turn a deep golden brown – that’s when the magic happens.

Step 2: Season and Build the Base

Sprinkle in salt, pepper, dried thyme, and flour, stirring well so the onions get evenly coated. Next, pour in the red wine and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, reducing a bit to concentrate the flavors. Your kitchen should start smelling amazing by now!

Step 3: Pressure Cook for Deep Flavor

Add in the beef broth and give it a quick stir. Seal your Instant Pot lid, making sure the valve is set to “seal,” then set to pressure cook on high for 5 minutes. The pot will take some time to come to pressure – around 5 to 10 minutes – then it’ll cook for the full 5 minutes.

Step 4: Release and Prep for Broil

Once done, do a quick pressure release by carefully flicking the valve open with a spoon. When the lid’s safe to open, slice your baguette and grate the cheese. Set your oven to broil on high to get ready for the cheesy finish.

Step 5: Broil to Cheesy Perfection

Ladle your soup into oven-safe bowls or ramekins, top each with a slice of baguette, and sprinkle generously with Gruyere. Pop them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes – watch closely here to catch that perfect golden melt without burning. Then it’s ready to dive into some serious comfort food!

How to Serve Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Cheese Recipe

Garnishes

I like keeping garnishes simple—just some fresh thyme sprigs or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper adds a nice fresh pop. Occasionally, a pinch of finely chopped parsley brightens the rich soup.

Side Dishes

My go-to side is a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette—it cuts through the richness nicely. Sometimes, I serve it alongside marinated grilled steak or a classic French dip sandwich for an indulgent meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like serving the soup in mini cast iron skillets or rustic bread bowls for extra wow factor. Topping with herbs and swirling a bit of truffle oil before broiling can elevate it for special occasions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to a week. When reheating, I like to warm it gently on the stovetop or microwave, then add the baguette slice and cheese to broil again for that fresh melted goodness.

Freezing

I freeze the soup without the bread and cheese in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, I thaw and reheat gently in the microwave, adding fresh baguette and cheese at the end.

Reheating

Reheating on low heat prevents the broth from thickening too much or burning. After warming, topping with bread and cheese and broiling is the best way to regain that signature soup finish.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Cheese Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for busy weeknights and fancy weekend meals alike. It’s comforting, flavorful, and downright irresistible, plus the Instant Pot makes it so much easier to get that perfect caramelized onion flavor without standing over the stove forever. I hope you enjoy making this as much as my family and I do—go ahead, give it a try and impress yourself with how quickly you can create a classic dish that’s all about warm, cheesy, satisfying goodness.

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