broths + soups/ recipes/ season/ winter

Vegan French Onion Soup

Vegan French Onion Soup | Well and Full | #vegan #soup #recipe

I’m having major blasts from the past today. Backstory – when I was 15, I reached my peak of coolness. (Could that have really been almost 10 years ago?) I dated a guy from my high school who had a car and was in a band. I pierced my own ears myself, wore grunge outfits from finds in thrift stores, performed at a hole-in-the-wall venue with the same guy’s band, and in general made my parents’ lives miserable.

Fast forward to now, I’m penning henna tattoos on myself, seriously considering this vegan pink hair dye I got, writing poetry, and practicing with my best friend’s band for a gig coming up in February. The only difference is that I don’t live with my parents anymore, so they can’t freak out about the henna butterfly on my wrist (Mom, if you’re reading this, it comes off in a few weeks).

I go in and out of phases in my life where I really care about what other people think, and then I kind of snap out of it and do whatever the f$%# I want (within reason). But now that I’m older, I feel myself settling into a more permanent state of freedom that exhilarates me. I’m realizing now that what matters most is what’s inside, and that everything else is just a vehicle for self-expression.

So my message to you today, to any of you who feel held back or stifled – LIVE YOUR LIFE. LIVE YOUR TRUTH. Be kind and do good towards others, that’s what really counts. But if you feel like wearing platform boots or dyeing a few chunks of your hair pink or singing in a rock band, DO IT. DON’T LIVE FOR ANYONE ELSE. LIVE FOR YOU. 


I guess in the theme of living your life the way YOU like, I’m also telling you to eat soup the way you like. French Onion Soup is traditionally made with seriously non-vegetarian ingredients, but it’s just as delicious when made vegan (if not more so). You caramelize the onions until they’re rich and sweet, then add in your fave veg broth + fresh thyme. You could also add in a glug or two of red wine, if that’s your thing. Let me also say that I’ve actually had French Onion Soup in Paris, and yet I still liked this version better. I hope you all like it too!!

Vegan French Onion Soup | Well and Full | #vegan #soup #recipeVegan French Onion Soup | Well and Full | #vegan #soup #recipe

Vegan French Onion Soup | Well and Full | #vegan #soup #recipe

Vegan French Onion Soup

This Vegan French Onion Soup is so full of rich umami flavors, you won't believe it's vegan! It's better than the version I tried in Paris, France!
4.25 from 4 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 2 Big Bowls, 3-4 Side Bowls

Ingredients
  

  • Two Large Red Onions thinly sliced
  • 1/2 White Onion thinly sliced
  • Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for cooking
  • 2 Large Cloves of Garlic minced
  • 8 Cups Vegetable Broth
  • The Leaves from 3 Fresh Sprigs of Thyme
  • 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
  • Salt to Taste

Instructions
 

  • Start by bringing some olive oil in a large soup pot to medium-low heat. Once oil is hot, add in sliced onions. Cook, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes or so. We want the onions to be steamed and slightly browned, not burnt. If you burn your onions it will make the soup taste bitter.
  • Once onions are soft, add in the minced garlic and stir well, sauteing for about a minute or so.
  • Then, add in the broth, thyme, and black pepper. Stir, and let simmer for 30 minutes, covered.
  • After 30 minutes, taste broth and gauge the salt level. It all depends on what type of broth you used. Add salt to taste, and any more black pepper / thyme if you'd like to.
  • When done, ladle into bowls and serve. It tastes delicious with crusty bread to scoop up the onions!
  • Enjoy!

Notes

I am adding some more detailed recipe instructions after receiving reader feedback. Please note the following things:
  • There are very few ingredients in this recipe, so use the highest quality ingredients you can. Please use a vegetable broth that you know you like, because that makes up the bulk of the soup.
  • Please follow the recipe instructions carefully and do not burn your onions. Reduce the heat if needed (every stove is different). Burnt onions will result in a bitter taste.
  • Make sure you use enough salt. If the soup doesn't taste super flavorful, it's because there isn't enough salt. However, be careful not to oversalt. Add in a little at a time, wait till it dissolves, taste, then add more if desired.
  • Feel free to add in a glug or two of red wine when you add in the broth. Be sure to simmer well to let the alcohol evaporate out.

Vegan French Onion Soup | Well and Full | #vegan #soup #recipeVegan French Onion Soup | Well and Full | #vegan #soup #recipe

Quote of the Day:

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

– Nathaniel Hawthorne

25 Comments

  • Reply
    Karlie
    January 16, 2017 at 9:06 am

    That message was amazing. Thanks for being YOU! Also, i think you’d look rad with pink hair

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 17, 2017 at 12:06 pm

      Awww thanks Karlie!! You’re too sweet :) :)

  • Reply
    annie
    January 16, 2017 at 11:01 am

    I gosh. I still remember the irritation of being a teenage vegetarian and ordering some french onion soup — only to later realize that it was full of beef broth. So unnecessary! This version looks perfect.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 17, 2017 at 12:07 pm

      I know, it’s totally unnecessary!! It’s so much better when it’s vegan ;) Thanks Annie! :)

  • Reply
    Evi @ greenevi
    January 16, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    5 stars
    I love French Onion Soup so much! It’s so comforting and delicious! Your version looks amazing too, pinned :)

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 17, 2017 at 12:17 pm

      Thanks Evi!! :D

  • Reply
    Aimee | Wallflower Kitchen
    January 16, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    Oh I have to try this <3

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 17, 2017 at 12:17 pm

      It’s so good!! :D

  • Reply
    Hana | Nirvana Cakery
    January 16, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    Simple is always the best, I’m making it! Your story reminds me my grunge years, I was a nightmare to my parents, but I was a teenager during Nirvana Years! Those were the days! xxx

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 17, 2017 at 12:19 pm

      I love the grunge style!! I was born in ’92 so I didn’t fully experience the 90’s, but I miss plaid pants, dark lipstick, and The Cranberries!! :D

  • Reply
    Traci | Vanilla And Bean
    January 20, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    I grew up in a culture where keeping up with the Jones’ and putting emphasis on what others thought was important. Didn’t matter really if you were falling apart on the inside. It was what was on the outside that counted. Perfect hair, clothes, make up… so, I worried when I was younger, but then I moved away, got cultured and educated. It became less of a priority. Thankfully I learned and grew out of it….. Good, wise advise my dear! This soup is SO hearty and I love that you’ve used red onions in it to! I’ve not tried red in my beloved french onion soup!! I’ll have to give it a go! Delicious work Sarah! :D

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 21, 2017 at 11:08 pm

      Thanks so much for your support Traci :) My family was very much a “keeping up with the Jones'” family and

  • Reply
    Victoria Bogdanos
    February 5, 2017 at 9:31 am

    5 stars
    I made this. It’s delicious. The ingredients are straight ahead; combined they end up as a soup that’s light, yet rich in flavor. The vegetable broth is a key ingredient. I went with Whole Foods brand organic. Sweating the onions for 30 minutes and then simmering them for another 30 makes them melt in your mouth. Great recipe!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      February 5, 2017 at 1:41 pm

      I’m so glad you liked it Victoria!! Whole Foods definitely has one of the best vegetable broths on the market. Thanks so much for leaving note :) <3

  • Reply
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  • Reply
    Linda Varney Anderson
    January 19, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    I have been canning vegetable broth all morning and I accidentally found your recipe for Vegan French Onion Soup. Since I had all the ingredients, I made and canned 4 quarts, which left me one large cup for lunch. It was FABULOUS (heck, yes I added red wine)! My two adult children introduced veganism to me years ago and I love to find recipes to cook, can, and give to them. This will knock their socks off!! Well done.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 19, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      Hi Linda, I’m so thrilled to hear you liked this soup! Red wine sounds like a delicious addition ;) Thanks so much for leaving a note!

  • Reply
    Trish
    January 28, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    2 stars
    I didn’t have much success with this unfortunately. Perhaps it was my broth. I used organic Pacifica veg broth. We ate it for dinner but the leftovers are going in the trash.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      January 29, 2019 at 4:09 pm

      Hi Trish, I’m so sorry to hear this recipe didn’t work out for you. Could you be more specific about what you didn’t like about it? I’m always looking to improve my recipes and would welcome your detailed feedback.

  • Reply
    R.H.
    February 14, 2019 at 11:48 am

    5 stars
    This soup came out delicious. I can’t believe how much flavor there was from so few ingredients! We’ll definitely be making this again!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      February 15, 2019 at 6:36 pm

      I’m so glad you liked the recipe, R.H.! Thank you for leaving a note :)

  • Reply
    Ema
    July 5, 2019 at 11:03 pm

    Wow!! AMAZING!!!! Thank you sooooooo much for all your delicious recipes I feel so blessed!! <333

    • Reply
      Sarah
      July 6, 2019 at 12:03 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind comment :) I’m so glad to hear you like the recipes!!

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