The Coziest Country French Garlic Soup Recipe You’ll Ever Make

My grandmother first shared this rustic country French garlic soup during a chilly winter evening in provence.

Rich, comforting flavors dance through each spoonful of this traditional peasant dish.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this simple yet remarkable recipe that warms both body and soul.

Fragrant garlic cloves blend seamlessly with gentle broth, creating a magical culinary experience.

Humble ingredients come together in a way that feels simultaneously elegant and unpretentious.

Hearty and nourishing, this soup reflects the authentic spirit of French countryside cooking.

Let you savor every delicious moment of this classic recipe that connects us to centuries of culinary tradition.

Why Country French Garlic Soup Feels Warm And Rustic

• Flavor-Packed Garlic Explosion: Enjoy an intense, aromatic soup that celebrates the rich, deep flavors of perfectly simmered garlic, creating a robust and comforting taste experience.
• Silky Smooth Texture Magic: The strained broth and whisked mayonnaise combine to create an incredibly creamy, velvety soup that glides effortlessly across your palate with luxurious smoothness.
• Quick and Simple Gourmet Technique: Master an elegant French-inspired recipe that transforms basic ingredients into a sophisticated dish using straightforward cooking methods, making restaurant-quality cuisine accessible to home cooks in under 30 minutes.
• Versatile Comfort Food Delight: Perfect for chilly evenings, sophisticated dinner parties, or when you crave a warming, elegant soup that impresses with minimal cooking skills and maximum flavor impact.

Ingredients Needed For Country French Garlic Soup

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Stock: Core liquid foundation that carries the soup's deep flavor profile and provides rich, savory warmth.
• Garlic Cloves: Aromatic foundation that infuses intense, mellow flavor throughout the soup.
• Fresh Sage: Classic herb that adds earthy, slightly peppery undertones to the broth.

• Egg Yolk: Crucial binding agent that helps create smooth, creamy texture in the mayonnaise.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment that stabilizes and enhances the mayonnaise's consistency.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: High-quality fat that creates silky emulsion and adds subtle fruity notes.

• Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates the overall flavor profile of the soup.
• Fresh Sage Leaves: Optional garnish that provides visual appeal and extra herbal aroma.

How To Make Country French Garlic Soup From Scratch

Step 1: Unleash Garlic Flavor

• Sliced garlic cloves
• Fresh sage leaves
• Chicken stock

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat. Reduce to a gentle simmer, letting the flavors dance and mingle for 10 minutes. Strain the broth carefully, removing garlic and sage, creating a silky smooth liquid gold.

Step 2: Craft Creamy Mayonnaise

• Egg yolk
• Dijon mustard

Whisk these ingredients with enthusiasm. Slowly stream in extra virgin olive oil, whisking continuously to create a luxurious, glossy mayonnaise. Sprinkle a pinch of salt to elevate the flavor.

Step 3: Marry Flavors Together

Gently introduce the velvety mayonnaise into the warm garlic broth. Whisk with care until the mixture transforms into a dreamy, creamy soup. Pour into serving bowls and crown with delicate fresh sage leaves for an extra touch of elegance.

Serving Tip: This soup is best enjoyed immediately, while the flavors are at their peak of deliciousness. Pair with crusty French bread for a truly authentic experience.

Simple Tips For Country French Garlic Soup

• Garlic Infusion Technique: Slowly simmer garlic in chicken stock to extract maximum flavor without burning, releasing a mellow, rich taste throughout the broth.
• Emulsification Mastery: Whisk egg yolk and oil gradually to create a stable, silky mayonnaise that blends seamlessly with the warm broth without separating.
• Low-Heat Magic: Maintain a gentle simmer when combining mayonnaise with broth to prevent curdling and preserve the soup's smooth, creamy consistency.
• Sage Enhancement: Use fresh sage leaves to add an earthy, aromatic depth that complements the garlic's robust flavor profile.
• Diet-Friendly Adaptation: Substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, and use olive oil mayonnaise for a lighter alternative.

How To Store Country French Garlic Soup After Cooking

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Reheat Gently: Warm the soup slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent separation. Add a splash of chicken stock if the soup seems too thick.
• Avoid Freezing: The mayonnaise-based soup may separate or become grainy when frozen, so it's best enjoyed fresh within a few days.
• Quick Tip: If the soup appears slightly separated after refrigeration, whisk briskly while reheating to restore its creamy consistency.

What To Eat With Country French Garlic Soup

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A light, dry Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the rich, garlicky flavors of the soup, cutting through its creamy texture and providing a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Rustic Bread Selection: Serve alongside crusty French baguette or sourdough slices, toasted and rubbed with garlic, to soak up the velvety broth and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Complement with Fresh Herb Salad: Create a simple green salad with mixed herbs like parsley, chives, and arugula, dressed in a light vinaigrette to provide a bright, fresh counterpoint to the soup's intense garlic profile.
• Balance with Roasted Vegetable Side: Prepare a quick roasted vegetable medley featuring zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus, lightly seasoned with olive oil and herbs to add depth and nutritional balance to the meal.

Fun Twists On Country French Garlic Soup

• Rustic Herb Fusion: Replace sage with fresh thyme or rosemary for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired variation that brings earthy undertones to the classic French garlic soup.
• Creamy Vegetable Version: Blend roasted root vegetables like carrots and parsnips into the broth for added depth and a silky smooth texture that enhances the garlic's natural sweetness.
• Spicy Provençal Style: Incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes and a splash of white wine during the broth simmering process to create a bolder, more complex flavor profile with a gentle heat kick.
• Protein-Packed Upgrade: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or poached eggs just before serving to transform the light soup into a more substantial and satisfying meal that provides extra protein and richness.

Common Questions About Country French Garlic Soup

• Why use sage in this French garlic soup?

Sage adds a deep, earthy herbal flavor that complements the rich garlic base, creating a more complex and traditional French countryside taste profile.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock to create a vegetarian version without compromising the soup’s authentic flavor.

• Is the mayonnaise step important for the recipe?

Absolutely! The mayonnaise helps create a creamy, luxurious texture and adds richness that transforms the simple garlic broth into a velvety, elegant soup.

• What makes this soup uniquely French?

The technique of infusing broth with whole garlic cloves and creating a smooth emulsified texture is a classic French countryside cooking method, representing simplicity and deep flavor development.

Country French Garlic Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rustic French Garlic Soup whisks home cooks through Provence’s hearty culinary landscape with rich, comforting flavors. Warm garlic-infused broth and crisp bread combine to deliver a simple yet profound taste experience that connects you directly to traditional French countryside cooking.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 cups (2 liters) chicken stock
• 1 large head of garlic, cloves peeled and sliced
• 1 small bunch of fresh sage

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Finishing Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup (160 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Peel and slice the garlic cloves, releasing their aromatic essence into a spacious cooking vessel. Add fresh sage leaves and pour in the chicken stock, creating a fragrant liquid base.
2. Ignite the heat to medium, allowing the ingredients to dance together. Once bubbling, reduce the temperature and let the mixture gently simmer for approximately 10 minutes, enabling the flavors to intertwine and develop depth.
3. Remove the pot from heat and carefully strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, extracting a silky, translucent liquid while capturing the robust garlic and sage essence.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, carefully separate the egg yolk, discarding the white. Introduce Dijon mustard and whisk vigorously until the mixture becomes smooth and integrated.
5. Commence a delicate drizzling technique with extra virgin olive oil, continuously whisking to emulsify the liquid into a luxurious, creamy mayonnaise. Sprinkle a subtle pinch of salt to enhance the flavor profile.
6. Return the strained broth to gentle warmth, then gradually incorporate the prepared mayonnaise, stirring consistently to achieve a harmonious, velvety consistency.
7. Ladle the soup into serving bowls, garnishing with delicate fresh sage leaves for an elegant presentation and an additional aromatic touch.

Notes

• Roast garlic beforehand to deepen the flavor profile and reduce its sharp intensity, creating a more mellow and rich taste.
• Use fresh, high-quality chicken stock as the base for an authentic French countryside feel, which elevates the entire soup’s complexity.
• Opt for room temperature eggs when making mayonnaise to ensure smoother emulsification and prevent potential separation of ingredients.
• Swap chicken stock with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, maintaining the soup’s robust garlic essence while accommodating different dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg