Hearty French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe

Hearty Creamy French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe Magic

Steaming with rich, aromatic flavors, this hearty french onion and mushroom soup recipe promises a comforting culinary experience that warms you from the inside out.

Slow-caramelized onions mingle with earthy mushrooms, creating a deeply satisfying broth that speaks to classic French cooking traditions.

Golden-crusted cheese melts luxuriously over the top, adding a crispy texture that contrasts beautifully with the velvety soup beneath.

Each spoonful brings layers of complex, savory notes that dance across your palate.

The combination of sweet onions and robust mushrooms creates a depth of flavor that elevates this soup from simple to extraordinary.

Perfectly suited for chilly evenings or when you crave a soul-warming meal, this recipe transforms humble ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish that will impress even the most discerning food enthusiasts.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Creamy French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe

For Sautéing Base:
  • Butter: Adds rich, velvety flavor and helps prevent sticking during cooking.
  • Olive Oil: Prevents butter from burning and provides a smooth, subtle undertone.
For Caramelizing Vegetables:
  • Onions: Sweet, deeply flavored base that develops complex caramel notes when slowly cooked.
  • Sugar: Accelerates caramelization process and enhances natural onion sweetness.
  • Salt: Draws out moisture and helps onions brown evenly.
For Seasoning and Depth:
  • Pinch of Salt: Balances flavors and intensifies overall taste profile of the soup.

Best Tools For Creamy French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for slow-cooking onions and building soup's rich base.
  • Sharp Knife: Perfect for slicing onions thinly and evenly.
  • Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Helps stir onions gently without breaking them while caramelizing.
  • Cutting Board: Provides stable surface for slicing ingredients.
  • Measuring Spoons: Ensures precise sugar and salt measurements.

How To Make Creamy French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe

  • Kickstart the Caramelization

Melt butter and olive oil in a roomy pot, transforming humble onions into liquid gold. Let the heat work its magic slowly and patiently.

  • Transform Onions into Flavor Bombs

Sprinkle onions with a kiss of sugar and a whisper of salt. Stir lovingly as they soften and turn a rich, luxurious golden-brown. This is where patience becomes your secret weapon.

  • Introduce Mushroom Magic

Toss in sliced mushrooms, letting them dance and mingle with the caramelized onions. Their earthy essence will elevate the soup’s depth and complexity.

  • Build the Liquid Foundation

Pour in rich beef broth and a splash of white wine, creating a symphony of flavors. Let everything simmer and get to know each other.

  • Cream and Comfort

Swirl in heavy cream, turning the soup into a velvety embrace. Season with thyme and black pepper for a final flourish of warmth.

  • Crowned with Cheesy Perfection

Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with crusty bread and a generous blanket of gruyère cheese. Broil until the cheese bubbles and turns golden-brown.

Flavor Boosts For Creamy French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe

  • Caramelization Magic: Keep the heat low and slow when cooking onions to achieve deep, rich golden-brown color without burning – patience is key for perfect flavor development.
  • Mushroom Variety Boost: Experiment with different mushroom types like porcini, shiitake, or cremini to add complex layers of earthy flavor and texture to the soup.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms a day in advance to save time and intensify the soup's deep, developed flavors.
  • Dietary Adaptations: Swap butter for olive oil to make the recipe vegan, and use gluten-free flour if you need a gluten-free version. Consider dairy-free cream alternatives like coconut cream for lactose-intolerant diners.
  • Wine Pairing Tip: Add a splash of dry white wine or sherry during the caramelization process to enhance the soup's depth and provide a subtle, sophisticated undertone that complements the rich onion and mushroom flavors.

How To Serve Creamy French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe

  • Rustic Bread Companion: Top your soup with a slice of crusty French baguette or sourdough, lightly toasted and brushed with garlic butter for extra flavor and crunch.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese on top, allowing it to melt slightly and create a rich, gooey layer that complements the soup's creamy texture.
  • Herb Freshness Boost: Garnish with finely chopped fresh thyme or parsley just before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch that cuts through the soup's richness and adds a pop of color.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a glass of crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied Chardonnay to enhance the soup's deep, complex flavors and create a restaurant-worthy dining experience.

Store Creamy French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe For Later

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the soup in airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
  • Freezing Magic: Portion the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring a delicious meal is always ready when needed.
  • Reheating Perfection: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then gently warm in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to restore creamy consistency and prevent scorching.
  • Garnish Game Plan: Keep fresh herbs and cheese toppings separately sealed in the refrigerator. Add crisp croutons or cheese just before serving to maintain their delightful crunch and prevent sogginess.
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Hearty French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe

Hearty French Onion And Mushroom Soup Recipe


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4.9 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Rustic French onion and mushroom soup delights palates with its rich, comforting flavors. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a luxurious culinary experience you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tbsps butter
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 500 g (1 lb) mushrooms (cremini, button, or a mix), sliced
  • 4 cups (1 liter) beef or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Baguette slices
  • 1 tbsp flour (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Base: Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat, creating a foundation for caramelizing onions.
  2. Caramelize Onions: Add sliced onions with sugar and salt, stirring consistently to develop a deep golden-brown color and rich, jammy texture over 25-30 minutes.
  3. Enhance Aromatics: Introduce minced garlic and fresh thyme, stirring to release their fragrant essence into the developing base.
  4. Develop Flavor: Deglaze pot with white wine, scraping up concentrated flavor fragments from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Incorporate Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms, allowing them to sauté and release their natural moisture, blending with the caramelized onion foundation.
  6. Build Soup Body: Pour in beef stock and heavy cream, creating a velvety liquid that combines all ingredients into a harmonious mixture.
  7. Simmer and Blend: Gently cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and concentrate, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  8. Final Seasoning: Adjust taste with black pepper and salt, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
  9. Serve Elegantly: Ladle soup into warm bowls, optionally topping with crusty bread and melted Gruyère cheese for a classic French finish.

Notes

  • Select Sweet Onion Varieties: Choose Vidalia or Walla Walla onions for naturally sweeter, more mellow flavor profile that caramelizes beautifully.
  • Control Caramelization Temperature: Maintain low-medium heat to prevent burning, allowing slow sugar development and rich golden-brown color without bitter undertones.
  • Layer Mushroom Varieties: Combine different mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, and porcini to enhance depth and complexity of earthy umami notes.
  • Adjust Cream Consistency: Use full-fat cream for richer texture, or substitute with half-and-half for lighter version; alternatively, blend in vegetable stock for dairy-free adaptation.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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