I’ve talked to many vegans who tell me they’ve never tried French Onion Soup, and it makes sense. Typically made with lots of non-plant-based ingredients, it’s not a menu item plant-based eaters would choose. But I’ve managed to create a vegan version of this soup. The same rich, umami flavours in the broth, and the melty cheeze-covered bread. It’s a quick dinner that comes together within 30 minutes (not including the time it takes for those onions to do their thing and get all nice and flavourful). It’s perfect for winter, and it’s on my menu rotation every week. If you’ve never tried French Onion Soup, now’s the time! And if you have, I promise this version is just as good!

 

Makes 4 servings (approximately 1 cup per person)

Ingredients:

• 2 spanish onions (or 3 larger cooking onions)

• 1-2 Tbsp butter or margarine

• 4 cups vegetable broth (or 4 cups water and 4 tsp bouillon paste)

• 1 tsp miso

• 1 bay leaf

• ¼ tsp dried thyme

• ½ cup red wine

• 1 Tbsp flour

• ½ – 1 cup cheeze of choice, shredded

• baguette, sliced thinly

 

Directions:

1. Slice your onions (I prefer to cut the rings into halves so they’re not super long). Add onions and butter to hot pan and caramelize.

2. While onions are caramelizing, in a medium pot, add your broth, miso, bay leaf and thyme. Bring to boil, and then reduce to low.

3. When onions are caramelized to your liking, add red wine and flour to the pan. Stir well to combine and deglaze the pan for about 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the onions to the broth and simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, add sliced bread to baking sheet and broil in the oven. You’re looking for crunchy and a little brown.

6. Now we’re ready to assemble. Put bowls on a baking sheet. This makes it easier to transfer them in and out of the oven at the same time.

7. Ladle broth and onions into bowls. Approximately 1 cup per bowl. Reserve some.

8. Add toasted bread on top. Cover with shredded cheeze (approximately ½ – 1 cup per bowl based on people’s preferences). Pour remaining soup on top.

9. Pop back in the oven on broil to brown the cheeze and get everything super hot.

10. Once done to your liking, remove from oven.

11. Garnish with a sprig of thyme.

12. Serve with a salad!

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