There is nothing quite like a hot bowl filled with hearty, deep flavor - especially when served alongside crusty bread. Our adoration for soup keeps me constantly seeking new recipes to add to the rotation, and today I am sharing with you one I am especially fond of: French Onion Soup.
Soup is one of the top dinner requests in our house. There is nothing like a hot bowl filled with hearty, deep flavor – especially when served alongside crusty bread. Our adoration for soup keeps me constantly seeking new recipes to add to the rotation, and today I’m sharing with you one I am especially fond of: French Onion Soup. A classic, this recipe marries the deep, rich flavors of caramelized onions with savory beef broth. Crowned with melty Gruyère cheese and served alongside French bread, it’s the most gourmet of treats – served right in the comfort of your own home.
If you read “gourmet” and twitched a little at the thought of what that entails, rest easy, friend. Like you, I’m juggling a hundred things at any given moment, and so the last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove. This recipe is just like the rest you’ll find from My Family Dinner: it’s a make-ahead freezer meal, which means you drop the ingredients into a freezer bag and store it frozen until you need it. Then, just grab it from the freezer, put it in your slow cooker or Instant Pot, and without any further effort from you, you’ll have the most irresistible of dinners ready in no time.
Whether you’re here because you’re prepping for a busy week or you found yourself with a French Onion soup craving, you’ll leave today with everything you need to make this classic soup. Let’s get to it!
Why You’ll Love this French Onion Soup Freezer Recipe
Low Maintenance Clean-Up: One pot cooking means fewer dishes for you to do and more time to do what you love most.
Versatility: Can be served as a starter or a main dish.
Cost-Effective: Bulk preparation lowers your grocery bill, and the make-ahead freezer meal nature of this meal prevents spontaneous spending on last-minute grocery runs or take-out.
French Onion Soup Freezer Meal Recipe
There is nothing quite like a hot bowl filled with hearty, deep flavor – especially when served alongside crusty bread. Our adoration for soup keeps me constantly seeking new recipes to add to the rotation, and today I am sharing with you one I am especially fond of: French Onion Soup.
Olive Oil: To make this recipe dairy-free, use olive oil instead of butter.
Vegetable Broth: If you don’t have beef broth on hand or prefer a vegetarian version of this dish, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Additions:
Bay Leaves: Bay leaves will increase depth in the flavor profile of the soup and will complement the thyme.
Worcestershire Sauce: A tablespoon or two of Worcestershire sauce brings a complex umami flavor that pairs well with the Gruyère and enhances the meatiness of the broth.
How to Reheat an Store French Onion Soup Freezer Meal Recipe
Best way to store leftover freezer meal French Onion Soup?
If, for some reason, you find yourself with leftovers of this delicious French Onion Soup, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure to allow the leftovers to cool to room temperature before storing. Be sure to consume them within three to five days in the fridge.
How long will French Onion Soup Freezer Meal Recipe last in the fridge?
When you have properly stored your leftovers in an airtight container, and you have allowed your leftovers to cool to room temperature before storing, your leftover soup should remain fresh in the fridge for three to five days. Make sure to always check for spoilage before reheating.
Can I freeze Easy French Onion Soup?
Our method is prepping this recipe raw, freezing, and then cooking fresh when needed. To make this into a raw freezer meal, add all ingredients, except the day of cooking and serving ingredients, to a labeled gallon freezer bag. Then remove excess air, seal and store for up to three months.
If you have already cooked this recipe, you can freeze any leftover soup to extend its shelf life. Simply allow the leftovers to cool to room temperature, then store in a resealable bag for up to three months time.
How to Reheat DIY Freezer Meal French Onion Soup?
We recommend this meal be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. It is able to be reheated in the oven, but it wouldn’t be our first method of choice.
To reheat in the stovetop, place desired amount of leftovers in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until your leftovers are evenly heated through.
Make Ahead French Onion Soup FAQs
Does French onion soup freeze well?
French onion soup does freeze well – our recipe is designed for it to be frozen raw and then cooked in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. It can be frozen once cooked, too, but the next round will not be as scrumptious as the first.
What pairs well with French onion soup?
We recommend serving our French onion soup with French bread, but it also goes well alongside meat, seafood, and pasta.
What type of onion is best in French onion soup?
French onion soup does well with flavorful onions, such as white, yellow or red onions. Traditionally, yellow onions are used.
How do you deepen the flavor of French onion soup?
If you’re looking to elevate the flavor profile of French onion soup, try adding a few sprigs of thyme, a bay leaf, or even a splash of lemon juice or cider vinegar. The thyme and bay leaf will add complexity and the cider vinegar or lemon juice will balance some of the oniony sweetness.
How thick should onions be cut for French onion soup?
Traditionally, onions are sliced to be ¼-inch thick for French onion soup. A mandolin is a great way to slice the onions at a consistent thickness.
Do I need to put wine in French onion soup?
When putting wine in French onion soup, a dry white, such as Sauvignon Blanc, or red, like Cabernet Sauvignon, wine is best. However, you can make French onion soup without any alcohol at all – balsamic vinegar is a great substitute for it.
What are the best cheeses to use for French onion soup?
Traditionally, Gruyère is the cheese used for French onion soup. It melts well, has great texture, and the flavor marries well with the flavors of the soup. If Gruyère is not available, consider using Beaufort, Comté, Jarlsberg, Emmental, or Fontina cheese. They are the closest matches to Gruyère.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when making French onion soup?
Some common mistakes that are made when making French onion soup are not caramelizing the onions properly, cooking the soup too quickly, skipping the garnish (the cheesy crouton that finishes the soup off), or using the wrong type of cheese.
As a full time working mom of four, I know how hard it is to find time (or energy) to cook. That’s why I’ve spent over a decade perfecting freezer meal recipes to make sure they’re not only quick to prepare but packed with flavors the whole family will love!
