Vegan French Onion Soup – Savory Caramelized Classic

Vegan French Onion Soup – Savory Caramelized Classic

This vegan French onion soup delivers deeply caramelized onions simmered in savory thyme broth with wine and aromatic herbs, finished with toasted baguette and gooey vegan cheese. Warm, comforting, and bursting with rich flavor—perfect as a starter or entree for cozy meals!

Ingredients

• Soup
• ¼ cup vegan butter or olive oil
• 4 large yellow or white onions (~2 lbs), sliced thin
• ¾ teaspoon sugar (or ½ tsp brown sugar)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ teaspoons dried thyme (or 3-4 fresh sprigs)
• 2 bay leaves
• ¾ cup dry white or red wine
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or arrowroot/cornstarch for GF)
• 2 quarts vegetable broth (low sodium)
• 1½ teaspoons sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
• Vegan Cheese
• ¼ cup raw cashews, soaked
• 1¼ cup unsweetened plant-based milk
• 2 tablespoons tapioca starch or arrowroot
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a large pot, melt butter/oil over medium-low. Add sliced onions and sugar. Sauté, stirring frequently, 40–50 minutes until deep golden and caramelized.
2. Add garlic and thyme; stir for 1 minute. Add wine; increase heat to simmer 10–15 minutes, reducing wine.
3. Sprinkle flour over onions; stir well and cook 1 minute.
4. Pour in vegetable broth, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes. Discard bay leaves and taste for seasoning.
5. Prepare vegan cheese: Blend soaked cashews, plant milk, starch, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt until smooth. Pour in small saucepan and cook over medium, whisking constantly until thick and stretchy.
6. Heat broiler. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with toasted baguette slices, then generous spoonfuls of vegan cheese.
7. Broil 2–3 minutes until melted and lightly browned. Serve hot.