This Trader Joe’s French Onion Soup is a cheesy and savory recipe, which is made with sweet caramelized onions and nutty Gruyere cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s French Onion Soup Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil
- 3 pounds onions, thinly sliced length-wise (4-5 onions)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 quarts mushroom or other rich vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 sprig parsley
- 1 baguette, cut into ½-inch slices
- 1½ cups grated Gruyere or other Swiss cheese
How To Make Trader Joe’s French Onion Soup
- Soften the onions: Heat the avocado oil in a heavy Dutch oven or other large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and 1 teaspoon of salt, stir, cover, and let the onions soften for 15 minutes.
- Caramelize the onions: Remove the lid, stir in the garlic, and continue to cook, stirring regularly, for another 45-60 minutes, until the onions are a deep golden brown.
- Deglaze and simmer: Once the onions are caramelized, add the wine. Increase the heat to medium and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the wine boil for about 5 minutes until it has almost completely evaporated.
- Build the soup: Pour in the mushroom stock, apple cider vinegar, tamari, and fresh herbs. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Assemble and broil: Move an oven rack to the top position and turn on the broiler. Ladle the soup into ovenproof bowls. Place 1-2 slices of baguette on top of the soup in each bowl and sprinkle generously with the shredded Gruyere cheese.
- Serve: Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 1 minute, or until the cheese is melted, browned, and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How to get perfectly caramelized onions? The key is patience and low, slow heat. Don’t rush this step. Allowing the onions to cook down slowly for the full hour is what develops their deep, sweet flavor, which is essential for this soup.
- Can I use a different cheese? Yes. While Gruyère is classic for its nutty flavor and excellent melting, a good quality Swiss, provolone, or even a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan would also be delicious.
- Can I make this without wine? You can substitute the wine with an equal amount of additional vegetable or mushroom stock to deglaze the pan. The flavor will be slightly less complex but still delicious.
- How to prevent soggy bread? For an extra-crisp crouton, you can toast the baguette slices in the oven for a few minutes until they are dry and lightly golden before placing them on top of the soup.
What To Serve With French Onion Soup
This rich and hearty soup is a complete meal in a bowl. It’s traditionally served on its own or with a simple side.
- A crisp green salad with a sharp Dijon vinaigrette
- A slice of crusty bread for extra dipping
How To Store French Onion Soup
- Refrigerate: Store the soup base (without the bread and cheese topping) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: The soup base freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe container.
French Onion Soup Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 18g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, this recipe is completely vegetarian as it uses mushroom or vegetable stock instead of the traditional beef broth.
A heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or a large, wide stainless steel pot is best. They distribute heat evenly and provide a great surface for the onions to brown and develop a flavorful “fond” on the bottom of the pan.
This is usually caused by having the heat too high, which can cause them to burn before they caramelize, or simply not cooking them for long enough. Low and slow is the secret.
Try More Recipes:
Trader Joe’s French Onion Soup Recipe
Course: SoupsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes1
hour20
minutes450
kcalA cozy and comforting vegetarian French Onion Soup with deeply caramelized onions, a rich broth, and a gooey, golden Gruyere cheese topping.
Ingredients
4 tbsp avocado oil
3 lbs onions, thinly sliced
1 tsp sea salt
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup dry white wine
2 quarts mushroom or vegetable stock
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar & 1 tbsp tamari
Fresh thyme & parsley
1 baguette, sliced
1½ cups grated Gruyere cheese
Directions
- In a large Dutch oven, cook the sliced onions and salt, covered, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
- Uncover, add the garlic, and continue to cook, stirring regularly, for 45-60 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized.
- Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping up any browned bits.
- Add the stock, vinegar, tamari, and fresh herbs. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each with 1-2 slices of baguette and a generous amount of Gruyere cheese.
- Broil for 1 minute until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Taking the time to properly caramelize the onions is the most important step for developing the soup’s deep, sweet flavor.
- For the best flavor, use a good quality, dry white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
- Use oven-proof bowls or crocks for the final broiling step.
- This soup tastes even better the next day, making it a great make-ahead dish for a dinner party.
