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This vegetarian rendition of a classic French onion soup is the cosy comfort you need this time of year.

My take on this classic keeps things simple and unfussy, with no fancy ingredients, but plenty of depth. Traditionally made with beef stock, this version is completely vegetarian — using a few clever additions to recreate that rich, savoury finish. The final flourish is the most important: crusty bread and bubbling cheese broiled on top, transforming each bowl into something deeply comforting and utterly irresistible.

How To Make This Vegetarian French Onion Soup

Start by heating butter with a little olive oil in a large pot. Add sliced onions, season generously with salt, and cook slowly, stirring often, until deeply softened and caramelised. This is where the flavour is built, so take your time.

Once the onions are nearly done, add minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
Add a splash of balsamic vinegar and stir through. This helps deepen the sweetness of the onions while adding a gentle acidity that balances the richness of the soup.
Add bay leaves, a sprig of thyme or rosemary,and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper.

Pour in vegetable stock or water and stir to combine.
Add a splash of soy sauce — this is key in a vegetarian version. Soy sauce brings umami and savouriness, helping to replicate the depth that beef stock traditionally provides without overpowering the soup.

Let the soup simmer gently, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Ladle into oven-proof bowls, top with lightly toasted crusty bread and grated cheese, and broil until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden. This final step is essential for that classic French onion finish!

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

A rich, comforting vegetarian take on French onion soup made with slow-caramelised onions, herbs, and a golden, cheesy topping — perfect for cosy nights and effortless hosting.

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Cook Time 20

Course accompaniment, Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine French, Modern-European

Servings 2

Ingredients

2 tbsp butter
olive oil (as required)
4-5 onions, sliced lengthwise
3-4 cloves minced garlic
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 bay leaves
1 sprig of rosemary/ thyme
salt & black pepper
3½ cups stock/ water
1-1½ tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

Heat a generous knob of butter + a glug of olive oil in a large pot.
Add 4-5 onions, sliced lengthwise . Generously salt the onions and cook, stirring regularly until the onions have softened to a golden brown perfection.
When the onions are almost fully caramelised, stir in 3-4 cloves of minced garlic.
Add a splash of balsamic vinegar , mixing gently. Then add 2 bay leaves, a sprig of rosemary/ thyme & a hefty crack of black pepper.
Pour in 3.5 cups of stock/ water, stirring to combine. Then add a splash of soy sauce (our secret ingredient!).
Let the soup come to a simmer, taste and adjust seasonings.
Now ladle the soup into oven-proof bowls. Top with lightly-toasted crusty bread and grated cheese of choice.
Bake/ broil / grill until the cheese has melted and DIVE IN!

Video

Keyword comfort soup, Easy Vegetarian Recipes, simple vegetarian recipes, Vegetarian soup recipes

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