Veg French Onion Soup Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide

There’s something undeniably comforting about a steaming bowl of French onion soup, with its rich, caramelized onions and savory broth. But what if you’re looking for a vegetarian twist on this classic?

Our Veg French Onion Soup recipe offers all the cozy warmth and deep flavors you crave, without any meat or animal products. Perfect for chilly evenings or a simple yet elegant starter, this soup uses vegetable broth and a medley of herbs to elevate the humble onion to star status.

This recipe is easy to make and uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or just exploring meatless meals, this soup is sure to delight.

Plus, it pairs beautifully with crusty bread and a sprinkle of vegan cheese for that irresistible gratinée finish. Ready to dive into a bowl of savory goodness?

Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Veg French Onion Soup offers a deliciously rich and hearty flavor that’s entirely plant-based. By caramelizing the onions slowly, the soup gains a natural sweetness balanced by savory herbs and umami-rich vegetable broth.

It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a classic French comfort food while keeping it vegetarian and lighter on the stomach.

Additionally, this recipe is:

• Easy to prepare with straightforward steps suitable for cooks of all skill levels.
• Highly customizable — swap the bread or cheese with your favorite vegan alternatives.
• Nutrient-packed thanks to wholesome onions and herbs.
• Perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

• 6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar (helps with caramelization)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, for deglazing)
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Baguette slices, toasted
• Vegan cheese, shredded (such as vegan mozzarella or gruyere style)

Equipment

• Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven-safe bowls or crocks for serving
• Baking sheet for toasting bread

Instructions

1. Prepare the onions: Peel and thinly slice all the onions. This will take a bit of time but is key for the perfect texture and flavor.
2. Caramelize the onions: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sprinkle in the sugar. Stir frequently for about 30-40 minutes until the onions turn a deep golden brown and develop a sweet aroma. Be patient—this slow caramelization is the heart of the soup’s flavor.
3. Add garlic and deglaze: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Pour in the white wine (if using) and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits. Let it simmer until the wine reduces by half, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Add broth and herbs: Pour in the vegetable broth, add the thyme and bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes to let the flavors meld.
5. Season: Remove the bay leaf. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed.
6. Prepare the bread: While the soup simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them until crisp and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.
7. Assemble and broil: Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a toasted baguette slice on top of each bowl of soup, then sprinkle generously with vegan cheese. Place the bowls under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese melts and bubbles with a golden crust.
8. Serve immediately: Carefully remove the bowls from the oven (they will be hot!) and serve your delicious veg French onion soup piping hot.

Tips & Variations

“Slow and steady wins the caramelization race.” Don’t rush the onion caramelization. It’s the key to unlocking the deep, sweet flavor that defines French onion soup.

• Vegan cheese options: Try cashew-based cheese or nutritional yeast sprinkled on top for a cheesy flavor without dairy.
• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread or croutons and double-check your broth ingredients.
• Herbal tweaks: Add rosemary or sage for a slightly different aromatic profile.
• Richness boost: Stir in a splash of coconut cream or cashew cream for a creamier texture.
• Make ahead: The soup base can be prepared a day in advance and reheated before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This veg French onion soup is a perfect starter for a cozy dinner or a light lunch paired with a fresh green salad. For extra heartiness, serve alongside a warm vegan bread like our Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.

For a French-inspired meal, consider adding a side of ratatouille or a plate of roasted seasonal vegetables from the French Vegan Recipes for Delicious Plant-Based Meals collection.

And if you love cooking with vegetables, don’t miss our Vegetable Alfredo Recipes for Creamy, Healthy Dinners to round out your meal plan.

Conclusion

Our Veg French Onion Soup recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy the classic flavors of French onion soup in a vegetarian-friendly way. The slow caramelization of onions creates a deeply flavorful base that pairs beautifully with the savory broth and crispy toasted bread topped with melty vegan cheese.

This soup is not only comforting and delicious but also simple to make with everyday ingredients.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or guests, this recipe promises to warm hearts and satisfy cravings. It’s a wonderful example of how vegetarian cooking can be both elegant and accessible.

Give this recipe a try and experience a new favorite comfort food that everyone will love.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Veg French Onion Soup”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A flavorful vegetarian twist on the classic French onion soup, made with caramelized onions and vegetable broth. Topped with toasted bread and melted cheese for a comforting meal.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT45M”, “totalTime”: “PT60M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced”, “3 tablespoons olive oil”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 teaspoon sugar”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/4 teaspoon black pepper”, “6 cups vegetable broth”, “1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)”, “4 slices French bread, toasted”, “1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese”, “1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper; cook until caramelized, about 35 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add white wine and cook until reduced by half.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in vegetable broth and thyme; simmer for 10 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven broiler.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with toasted bread slices, and sprinkle cheese on top.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place bowls under broiler until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve hot.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “220 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “8 g”, “fatContent”: “10 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “25 g”}}