Why you’ll love this creamy onion soup
The foundation of any great French onion soup is properly caramelized onions. While this process takes about a bit of patience, it develops a complex flavor profile that makes this soup insanely good, even without the cheesy bread on top.
To make it even better, I’ve added a bit of creaminess to the soup with creamy coconut milk.
But wait, there’s more! I also found the perfect combination of dairy free cheese to top those croutons. It might not be as perfectly stretchy as real cheese, but the flavor is great and paired with the rich onion flavor, it can’t be beat.
Searching for more creamy soup recipes? creamy chicken and wild rice soup / cauliflower potato soup / vegan potato leek soup
Ingredient notes:
- Sweet onions – The natural sweetness of caramelized onions is what makes French onion soup so special. Taking the time to cook them down properly is key to getting that rich, deep flavor.
- Coconut milk – Traditional French onion soup doesn’t usually have a creamy element, but adding full-fat canned coconut milk makes this one extra luscious without any dairy.
- Dairy free cheese – No French onion soup is complete without a slice of crusty bread and gooey melted cheese on top. A good dairy free mozzarella or any mild, melty cheese alternative works perfectly here.
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Melissa’s tips + tricks:
- Take your time caramelizing the onions. Rushing this step won’t give you the deep, rich flavor you need for an authentic French onion soup. Don’t stir too often, you want to let those onions sit on the hot pan.
- Use a good quality white wine. A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay works best.
- Choose a melty dairy free cheese. Some brands melt better than others. I recommend Daiya oat milk shreds, Miyoko’s liquid mozzarella or Follow Your Heart mozzarella shreds. Chao creamy original would also work well too.
If you like this recipe, you have to try this dairy free french onion dip and this caramelized shallot pasta and this onion soup mix meatloaf.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 medium onions - thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups beef stock
- 1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 loaf sourdough bread - cubed
- 1 cup dairy free mozzarella shreds
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions. Heat a large Dutch oven or stockpot to medium. Add the olive oil, onions, a pinch of salt, and a sprinkle of brown sugar (optional for deeper caramelization). Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden and soft—this should take about 20 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle the onions with flour, stirring to coat. Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer the soup. Add the beef stock, coconut milk, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and let cook on low for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the cheese toast. While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 400˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the sourdough, place it on the baking sheet, and top with dairy free cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Serve and enjoy! Ladle the soup into bowls and top each with a slice of the cheesy bread. Serve immediately and enjoy the cozy vibes!
