French onion soup is deceptively simple for a dish with such rich, comforting flavor. This simple lacto-vegetarian soup recipe takes a little over an hour to make, but is simple enough for weeknight suppers or casual entertaining. This soup also freezes well, and is the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings.
Vegetarian Vegetable Broth
Many soup recipes can be made vegetarian simply by substituting vegetable broth for the beef or chicken broth in the recipe. Many canned and boxed vegetable broths are too light in color and flavor to stand in for the beef stock in French onion soup.
The best substitute for the beef broth in French onion soup is a dark vegetable broth, base or bullion. Better Than Bouillon Organic Vegetable Base works well in this recipe. Oher broths may be used, but the end product may not taste as much like traditional French onion soup.
Vegetarian French Onion Soup Ingredients
- 6 medium onions, sliced
- 2 quarts of vegetable broth (see above)
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 tsp. tarragon (optional)
- French bread or croutons
- Swiss, Provolone or Jarlsburg cheese, sliced or shredded
Vegetarian French Onion Soup Directions
- Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat
- Add onions, cook on high for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Turn heat down and continue to cook onions about 30 minutes, stirring several times, until onions have cooked down considerably and are golden brown
- Pour broth into medium saucepan
- Add onions, tarragon and bay leaf
- Cook on medium heat for 15 minutes, then remove from heat
- Remove bay leaf
- Ladle soup into each bowl and top with bread and cheese
If oven-safe soup bowls are used, they can be placed on a cookie sheet in the oven. The cheese can be melted using the broiler setting. Otherwise, the cheese can be melted in the microwave.
Make Vegan Onion Soup
This recipe can be made vegan by omitting the cheese and cooking the onions in a (preferably non-hydrogenated) vegan margarine instead of butter. The soup tastes delicious even without the cheese topping that is traditional for French onion soup. Carrots, mushrooms or barley would be a nice addition to the vegan version.
More Vegetarian Recipes and Articles
- When Vegetarians and Meat-Eaters Live Together – This article provides suggestions to help meat eaters and vegetarians coexist peacefully under the same roof.
- Getting More Protein in a Vegetarian Diet – This brief article outlines a few ways to have a balanced meatless diet that is rich in protein.
- Easy Yeast Pizza Dough – This is an easy and versatile homemade dough recipe.
Alison Fletcher - Alison Fletcher is a freelance writer, editor and proofreader. She has nearly a decade of experience in the craft and picture framing ...
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