Most French Onion soups call for a whole lot of butter and some even cream. My childhood best friend forever is dairy free, so I created this dairy free version just for her. The base of my French onion soup is completely dairy free, but I promise it’s still rich and creamy.
Yes, I did top my soup with freshly shredded swiss cheese – but that part is optional or if you love the “cheese” part you can substitute with dairy free cheese such as daiya.
Now Let’s Make Soup
To begin heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium high heat and add in 1 Tablespoon olive oil. Add 6 cups of sliced yellow onions and 1 teaspoon Kosher salt to the pot and and begin to slowly cook the onions, stirring every minute or so.
The onions should begin to release their natural juices and over the next 10 minutes should begin to caramelize turning light brown and sweet. If you notice any brown bits beginning to stick to the bottom of the pan, you can splash in some stock and scrape up the bits with your spoon. You can see how the onions will soften and begin to turn light brown in the pictures below.
Continue to cook the onions for an additional 5-10 minutes until they are pale brown and very soft. Check out the caramelizing onions photo at the end of this post to see times and color changes for slowly caramelizing onions.
Sprinkle in 1 Tablespoon of all purpose flour. To keep this recipe gluten free you can omit this step or substitute gluten free flour. King Arthur brand tends to gum up less than other brands. Cook the flour until well absorbed for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Next deglaze the pot by splashing in 1/4 cup of dry red wine, if you do not have wine or would prefer not to use it, just use beef stock. Mix well and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes.
What does deglaze mean?
Deglazing is a cooking technique for removing and dissolving browned food residue from a pan to flavor sauces, soups, and gravies.
Once wine or stock is fully absorbed, add in the remaining stock along with a few thyme sprigs and a bay leaf.
Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the soup has reduced and the flavors have come together. Serve as is or top with your choice of crusty bread, toast or croutons and optionally melt your favorite cheese over the top.
Check out my other dairy free recipes:
Deliciously Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes.
Dairy Free French Onion Soup
Course: Main, Dinner, Lunch, SoupsDifficulty: Moderate4
servings10
minutes30
minutesRich, robust French onion soup made without dairy.
Ingredients
6 cups sliced yellow onions about 1 pound
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
4 cups beef or vegetable stock
1/4 cup dry red wine or you can use an additional 1/4 cup stock
1 Tablespoon all purpose flour. For gluten free you can omit this step or substitute gluten free flour. King Arthur brand tends to gum up less than other brands.
Directions
- Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium high heat and add in 1 Tablespoon olive oil.
- Add 6 cups of sliced yellow onions to the pot.
- Add 1 teaspoon Kosher salt and begin to slowly cook the onions, stirring every minute or so.
- The onions should begin to release their natural juices and over the next 10 minutes should begin to caramelize turning light brown and sweet.
- If you notice any brown bits beginning to stick to the bottom of the pan, you can splash in some stock and scrape up the bits with your spoon.
- Continue to cook the onions for an additional 5-10 minutes until they are pale brown and very soft.
- Sprinkle in 1 Tablespoon of all purpose flour. To keep this recipe gluten free you can omit this step or substitute gluten free flour. King Arthur brand tends to gum up less than other brands.
- Cook the flour until well absorbed for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Next deglaze the pot by splashing in 1/4 cup of dry red wine. Mix well and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add in the remaining stock along with a few thyme sprigs and a bay leaf.
- Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the soup has reduced and the flavors have come together.
- Serve as is or top with crusty bread or toast and optionally melt your favorite cheese over the top.