A Ninja Foodi French Onion Soup recipe for how to make this classic soup in the pressure cooker. The result? A richly flavored broth with loads of caramelized onions and ready to be topped with cheesy, crusty bread.
French onion soup is a wonderfully savory soup that takes simple ingredients and transforms them into a rich, umami masterpiece. By cooking down the onions they become caramelized and turn much sweeter.
Normally, french onion soup requires a lot of time simmering. By using the Instant Pot function on the Ninja Foodi, a deep soup with a deep broth can be achieved in less than hour. Using the Saute function on the IP means that all the cooking happens in one pot.
It still takes a bit of time to caramelize the onions, but I wouldn't skimp on this step. This is what makes the flavor of the soup really rich and wonderful! The benefit of making this a Ninja Foodi soup, is that pressure cooking simmers down the broth in a completely hands off manner. Once the onions are done caramelizing and the remaining ingredients are added, the Ninja Foodi pressure cooker lid is placed on and you are free to walk away! Once the cook time is up, and the timer goes off you know that your soup is ready to enjoy!
Looking for more french onion soup inspired dishes? Try these recipes for french onion soup chicken or french onion soup meatballs!
Ingredients
- sliced onions
- garlic
- butter
- sugar
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- dried thyme
- bay leaf
- beef broth
- brandy (or red wine)
- shredded gruyere cheese
- french bread
How to make french onion soup in the Ninja Foodi
Begin by thinly slicing onions. Place onions, garlic, and butter into instant pot insert of the Ninja Foodi Deluxe and turn on to Saute function.
Saute for about 20 minutes, stirring often. Add in sugar and bay leaf and saute for another 5, continuing to stir.
When onions have turned brown, add brandy and scrape up the fond from the bottom using a wooden spoon (This part is important, it really gives a depth of flavor).
Add in broth, thyme, salt and pepper.
Place pressure cooker lid on to the Ninja Foodi and change setting to pressure cook and cook at High Pressure for 10 minutes.
Allow to natural release for 5 minutes and then carefully quick release the rest of the way.
While the soup is cooking in Instant Pot, slice french bread about ½ inch thick. Turn on broiler and top bread with cheese. Toast bread until cheese is golden brown. Watch carefully this will go very quickly.
Ladle soup into bowls and top with cheese toast.
How to deepen the flavor of french onion soup
If the onions are truly caramelized and the beef broth you use is high quality, the flavor of this soup is going to be out of this world! If you want to deepen it further, you can try two things. A splash of worcestershire sauce or a spoonful of beef bouillon paste.
Worcestershire is a great way to make your taste buds say, "hmmm?" as it adds a complex flavor that is both salty and acidic. Beef bouillon (or any bouillon for that matter) is a cooks best friend. Add a spoonful into soups and sauces and then stirring until well combined really amplifies the flavor of whatever you are making.
Stove top instructions
You can easily make this Instant Pot french onion soup on the stove instead if you wish. To do so, saute the sliced onions and sugar in a large soup pot for approximately 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once the onions are caramelized, add stock and remaining soup ingredients. Simmer until reduced by half. Top with cheese toast.
What to pair with french onion soup
Cheesy, crusty bread is a necessity on top to contrast the texture of the broth. Gruyere is most popular, but swiss cheese would work well too!
As far as pairing on the side, a simple salad works great. I love this rocca salad with parmesan because it doesn't compete with the richness of the french onion soup, but the arugula (or rocca), gives a nice peppery bite. Another favorite is a classic caesar salad!
Storage
Store soup and cheese topped bread pieces separately in the refrigerator. Enjoy leftovers within 3-4 days. The soup can easily be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. The bread pieces can be microwaved or I like to pop them into the Ninja Foodi using the air fryer function for a few minutes to reheat!
Ninja Foodi French Onion Soup (Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 3 large onions sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ stick butter
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 cups beef stock
- ½ cup brandy or red wine
- 5 oz. shredded gruyere cheese
- ½ french baguette
Instructions
- Begin by thinly slicing onions. Place onions, garlic, and butter into instant pot insert of the Ninja Foodi Deluxe and turn on to Saute function.Saute for about 20 minutes, stirring often.
- Add in sugar and bay leaf and saute for another 5, continuing to stir.
- When onions have turned brown, add brandy and scrape up the fond from the bottom using a wooden spoon (This part is important, it really gives a depth of flavor).
- Add in broth, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Place pressure cooker lid on to the Ninja Foodi and change setting to pressure cook and cook at High Pressure for 10 minutes.
- Allow to natural release for 5 minutes and then carefully quick release the rest of the way.
- While the soup is cooking in Instant Pot, slice french bread about ½ inch thick.
- Turn on broiler and top bread slices with cheese. Toast bread until cheese is golden brown. Watch carefully this will go very quickly.
- Ladle soup into bowls and top with cheese toast.
Leave a Reply