Instant Pot French Onion Soup
You wouldn't believe this restaurant-worthy, rich and hearty Instant Pot French Onion Soup is slimming-friendly!
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories93
- Carbs16g
- Sugars9.7g
- Protein3g
- Fat1.4g
- Saturates0.6g
For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card below. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff in the blurb!
If you’re after something packed with flavour that’s still budget-friendly, this Instant Pot French Onion Soup will tick your boxes. It takes humble ingredients and transforms them into a rich bowl of tasty goodness, with beautifully softened, caramelised onions at the heart of the dish.
Using the Instant Pot speeds up the process without impacting the depth of flavour. As the onions cook down, they become deliciously sweet, creating the perfect base for a warming lunch or satisfying dinner.
To serve, spoon the soup into ovenproof bowls, top with a toasted slice of wholemeal bread and a sprinkle of reduced-fat cheese, then grill until the cheese is melted, golden and bubbling. The crisp, cheesy topping gives it that classic, bistro-style finish.
Prefer a traditional approach? You can easily make this on the hob instead.
What diets is this Instant Pot French Onion Soup suitable for?
This Instant Pot French Onion Soup recipe is suitable for dairy-free diets. It can easily be made gluten-free and vegetarian, as long as you swap out the following ingredients for gluten-free versions:
- Stock cubes
- Worcestershire sauce
Remember to take extra care when you’re cooking for people with allergies. Use separate utensils, cookware, and preparation surfaces.
Do you need any special ingredients to make Instant Pot French Onion Soup?
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This recipe calls for an Instant Pot. If you don’t have one, you could always make our hob version. As for the ingredients, you’ll find everything on your local supermarket shelves.
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If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can find one like this easily online: 
How many calories are in this Instant Pot French Onion Soup?
There are 93 calories per portion in this Instant Pot French Onion Soup, which means it falls into our Everyday Light category. These are all dishes under 400 calories, ideal for when you’re after a lighter bite (just like the category name suggests!), and they fit with diet plans like Weight Watchers if you’re calorie counting.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight, then you might want to adjust these slightly. You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Spray the inner pot of the Instant Pot with low-calorie cooking spray, and set to ‘Sauté’. Add the onions and garlic, and fry. Don’t stir too frequently — you want the bottom to brown to give the soup a nice rich colour. This will take around 10 minutes in total.
Step 2
Add the balsamic vinegar and Henderson’s relish, and stir. Pour in all of the water, then add the stock cubes and vegetable stock pot.
Step 3
Put the lid on, ensure the pressure valve is closed, and press the “Manual” button. Change the time to 5 minutes. Bear in mind that the Instant Pot may take a little while to come up to pressure as there’s quite a lot of liquid in there!
Step 4
Once the Instant Pot has beeped to let you know it has finished, “Quick Release” the pressure (careful not to get in the way of the steam as it releases!). Then serve the soup with a garnish of your choice. Voila!
What could I serve with this Instant Pot French Onion Soup?
This Instant Pot French Onion Soup works really well when served as a starter with the following main, side, and dessert:
How do you know when Instant Pot French Onion Soup is cooked?
You’ll need to cook this Instant Pot French Onion Soup in your Instant Pot for 20 minutes. You can also cook it on your hob if you prefer.
As per UK food safety guidelines, always cook meat until it reaches 75ºC and stays at that temperature for at least two minutes. This is to keep you and whoever it is you’re cooking for safe.
Can I cook this Instant Pot French Onion Soup any other way?
Yes, you can! If you prefer, this recipe comes together beautifully in your on your hob — which takes around 30 minutes.
How long can you keep Instant Pot French Onion Soup in the fridge?
Once you’ve served up your Instant Pot French Onion Soup, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you do allow any leftovers to cool, be sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid. You can keep leftovers of Instant Pot French Onion Soup in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.
Can I freeze Instant Pot French Onion Soup?
Yes you can! This recipe can be frozen, just remember to do the following;
- Freeze it as soon as it’s cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that’s suitable for freezing.
- Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat Instant Pot French Onion Soup?
From chilled: Place in a microwave-proof container with loosely fitting lid, and heat for 4-7 minutes — until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost fully, then heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes. Give it a good stir. Cook for a further 5-7 minutes, until piping hot.
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Instant Pot French Onion Soup
You wouldn't believe this restaurant-worthy, rich and hearty Instant Pot French Onion Soup is slimming-friendly!
-
Prep Time
10 MINS
-
Cook Time
20 MINS
- KCals 93
- Carbs 16G
Instructions
- Spray the inner pot of the Instant Pot with low-calorie cooking spray, and set to 'Sauté'. Add the onions and garlic, and fry. Do not stir too frequently — you want the bottom to brown to give the soup a nice rich colour. This will take around 10 minutes in total.
- Add the balsamic vinegar and Henderson’s relish, and stir. Pour in all of the water, and add the stock cubes and vegetable stock pot.
- Put the lid on, ensure the pressure valve is closed and press the "Manual" button. Change the time to 5 minutes. Bear in mind that the Instant Pot may take a little while to come up to pressure as there's quite a lot of liquid in there!
- Once the Instant Pot has beeped to let you know it's finished, “Quick Release” the pressure (careful not to get in the way of the steam as it releases!). Then serve the soup with a garnish of your choice. Voila!
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