Table of Contents:
– Introduction
– Vegetarian French Recipes
– What is French Onion Soup?
– Is French Onion Soup Vegetarian?
– Is French Onion Soup Healthy?
– Vegan French Onion Recipe
– What Can You Add to French Onion Soup?
– Making Vegan French Onion Soup
French cuisine has brought us some of the most delicious foods, which are enjoyed by people around the world. From the infamous baguettes and soft croissants to hearty dishes like beef bourguignon, hachis parmentier, veal blanquette, and coq au vin.
Many classic French recipes use animal products like dairy or meat, but there are so many ways to adapt these traditional recipes to make them divinely vegan-friendly!
A common misconception about French cuisine is that the dishes are complicated and time-consuming, which isn’t the case at all. It’s one of the reasons French onion soup is such a beloved comfort meal around the world!
Not only is French onion soup hearty and delicious, but it’s also easy to make and can be adapted for vegans and vegetarians. So, if you want to try your hand at French cooking, why not start with this vegan French onion soup recipe?
French Vegetarian Recipes
While meat and fish are often at the heart of classic French cuisine, there are actually a few world-renowned French dishes that are vegetarian!
French green beans, potato gratin, French onion soup, and ratatouille are all beloved vegetarian dishes served in households and restaurants throughout France.
French cuisine is all about taking a few simple ingredients and turning them into masterpieces, which is why these French vegetarian foods are so delicious!
What is French Onion Soup?
French onion soup is a classic French meal. It is a hearty soup that is traditionally made with caramelized yellow onions, beef broth, wine, and bread with gooey melted cheese on top.
One theory suggests French onion soup was a dish born out of necessity that evolved into a beloved culinary treasure. Its origins date back to the early 18th century in Roman times when France experienced a time of great economic hardship. For many families, this meant that food was extremely difficult to come by and many farmers and workers would have to survive on leftover vegetables from their fields, like onions. Over time, this onion soup gained popularity, and the recipe was refined and later become the classic French onion soup we know today.
Another theory suggests this classic soup stems from royalty and was invented by none other than King Louis XV. Legend has it that King Louis XV returned home late one night and was in desperate need of a meal. All he had on hand were a few onions, butter, and champagne, which he threw together to make the first bowl of French onion soup.
Whatever its origins, today, French onion soup is a staple of French cuisine enjoyed across the globe.
Is French Onion Soup Vegetarian?
While the main ingredients, as the name suggests, are onions, traditional French onion soup is not vegetarian because it uses beef broth. This can easily be replaced with vegetable broth, mushroom broth, or vegan bouillon powder to make a vegetarian version.
Another ingredient to keep an eye out for is wine. Some wines contain animal products, specifically animal bones, making them unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians. There are a few great vegan-friendly wine substitutes available, though, that will add the same flavor to this soup.
To make French onion soup suitable for vegans, there are a few additional simple ingredient substitutes that will need to be made. For example, instead of using dairy butter to caramelize the yellow onions, you would need to use plant-based butter or olive oil.
Similarly, French onion soup wouldn’t be the same without the soft bread and melted cheese on top, but switching these out for vegan cheese and vegan-friendly bread will have the same delicious effect.
Is French Onion Soup Healthy?
French onion soup may not be the healthiest of meals, but that doesn’t mean it is without any benefits!
The sweet onions in the soup are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, and they also provide fiber, vitamin C, as well as other important nutrients.
Generally, most vegetable broths, used as a base for the soup, are low in calories and fat and can provide additional nutrients like potassium and vitamin A.
How healthy French onion soup is depends largely on the ingredients you’re using. For example, some kinds of butter and cheeses, including plant-based alternatives, can be high in saturated fats and sodium.
In moderation, French onion soup can be a healthy dish if it’s made with wholesome ingredients and prepared healthily.
Vegan French Onion Soup Recipe Tips
It’s hard to believe that something as simple and humble as an onion can be the star of a meal, but trust us, this French onion soup is divine. Even the world-famous chef, Julia Child, who popularized French cooking around the world, thinks so!
French onion soup is a perfect dish for cold winter nights, as it warms you up from the inside out. The caramelized onions and rich broth create a savory, earthy, Unami flavor that is hard to resist. The fresh bread and melted gooey cheese on top also make for a deliciously indulgent touch!
Before we dive into how to make vegan French onion soup, take a look at these recipe notes:
Vegetarian Option
This recipe is for a vegan version of this classic French dish, but it can also be made to suit a vegetarian diet by using regular butter and cheese.
Red or White Wine?
Traditionally, French onion soup is made with dry white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. However, you can also use red wine if you prefer. Red wine will give the soup a deeper and richer flavor. It’s best to avoid sweet wine, as it may overpower the rest of the flavors in the soup.
A good rule to follow is to avoid using any wines you would not enjoy drinking, as this could impact the flavor of the soup. Whichever option you choose, check the ingredients list to ensure your wine is vegan-friendly.
Non-Alcoholic Version
If you don’t like wine or prefer to make this French onion soup without any alcohol, you can substitute the wine in this recipe with additional vegetable or mushroom broth in an equal ratio to keep that Unami flavor.
Adding the Bread and Cheese
The melted gooey cheese on top of fresh bread is a classic component of a French onion soup, but it isn’t strictly necessary. If you’re not a fan of cheese or prefer to have your soup without bread, simply skip these steps of the recipes.
You can also substitute the melted cheese bread for cheesy croutons or regular croutons.
Cheese
For the melty cheese, you can use any kind of store-bought vegan cheese that melts well for this recipe. If you prefer, you can also make your own nut-based vegan mozzarella.
If you’re making a vegetarian version of this soup, you can use any rich cheese, like Gruyere cheese, Swiss cheese, or even blue cheese.
Vegan Butter
Any salted vegan butter will do for this recipe, but you can also use olive oil instead.
French Bread
As this is a classic French recipe, we would recommend staying true to its roots and serving it with a French baguette. However, any fresh vegan bread can be used and will work just as well!
Pot vs Dutch Oven
A Dutch oven is a great pot to use for French cooking onion soup, and it’s oven-safe, so you can use it to toast the bread and melt the cheese right before serving.
If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can use a heavy-bottomed pot instead and dish the soup into individual oven-safe bowls before adding the bread and cheese.
Caramelizing the Onions
Caramelizing the yellow onions is the most crucial step of this recipe. You may be tempted to rush through this step, as it can take up to 40 minutes, but for the best results, we recommend letting your onions caramelize slowly to build the flavor and base of this soup.
Vegan French Onion Soup Recipe
This recipe is quick and easy and only requires a few ingredients to make a delicious, hearty soup that serves 4-6 people. It can be enjoyed as a tasty main course or as a starter.
Ingredients:
- 5-6 large sweet yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons vegan butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (see recipe notes)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme or 3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4-6 slices of French roll
- 1/4 cup vegan mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the vegan butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally using a wooden spoon, until they are caramelized and golden brown, about 30-40 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 3-4 minutes.
- Next, sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to combine.
- If you’re using wine, pour in the wine and scrape the bottom of the pot with the wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until the wine reduces slightly.
- Add the veggie broth, vegan Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the flavors meld together.
- While the soup is simmering, preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the bread slices on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and toast for 5-7 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Once the soup has cooked, remove the bay leaves, ladle it into oven-safe bowls, and place a slice of toasted bread on top of each bowl. Sprinkle the shredded vegan mozzarella cheese over the bread.
- Place the bowls or your Dutch oven onto an oven rack and bake for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve your soup and enjoy the comforting, savory flavor of this vegan French onion soup!
It’s difficult to resist eating this soup all in one go! If you have any leftovers you would like to enjoy the next day, place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What Can You Add to French Onion Soup?
Another vegan-friendly way to enjoy French onion soup is to add brown or green lentils.
As this soup doesn’t have any plant-based protein, adding lentils is a great way to make this soup a more filling meal. Lentils are not only a great source of plant-based protein, but they are also rich in fiber, which when added to French onion soup will make it more nutritious.
To add lentils to this recipe, simply soak 1 cup of brown or green lentils for at least an hour before you start preparing your soup. Once you add the vegetable broth to the soup, add the lentils and let them cook in the broth. Once your soup is cooked and the lentils are soft, depending on the desired texture, you can blend the soup slightly.
You can also cook the lentils separately and add them to the soup in the last 20 minutes while the soup simmers.
Best of Luck Making Your Vegan French Onion Soup!
Why not try this vegan recipe and make the ultimate French comfort food? Making vegan or vegetarian French onion soup is a great way to experience a classic and beloved French dish. Bon Appetit!
