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This Creamy French Onion and Mushroom Soup is the best bowl of cozy french onion soup. It has everything you love about a warming, cheesy bowl of French onion soup…only better. There’s a touch of cream to make every spoonful rich and creamy. Slowly caramelized onions in wine with fresh herbs deliver the most delicious flavor. Then add that classic cheesy bread topping, and you’ll have the perfect bowl of soup. Great for both fall and winter days!
You guys, this creamy French onion and mushroom soup!
This isn’t your average bowl of French onion soup. Not that French onion soup could ever be average, it’s always delicious, but this bowl is a step up. It took me a while to get this one figured out, but once I did, I knew it was special. It’s funny, my process for developing recipes can be all over the place. Sometimes I have a solid idea in my head. One that already really excites me and I don’t think twice about creating the recipe.
Other times I have an idea that I like, but don’t love. Often times it’s these recipes that take me a little longer to get just right. That was kind of the case with this French onion soup. I wanted to make a French onion soup with mushrooms and lots of herbs. Of course, that would have been delicious, but I needed something to really make me excited.
After many texts back and forth with my sister-in-law, who has really become one of my best sources to help me think even more outside the box, we landed on this soup. A creamy french onion and mushroom with double the amount of herbs. With a few simple tweaks to the recipe, I was finally excited…so excited. It’s hard to make a classic recipe like french onion soup any better, but this recipe might just do it.
If you’ve ever made french onion soup, you know two things. One, it’s really pretty straight forward and there’s nothing too complicated. Two, the onions take a second (or two) to really caramelize down. It can take a little more time than the usual thirty-minute start to finish dinner, but it’s worth the wait.
And I don’t know, something about caramelizing onions on the stove is very relaxing and cozy. However, I am weird…I’m probably the only one that feels that way.
Anyway, I’ve made a lot of French onion soup over the years. Sometimes I’ve taken shortcuts with the onions, but with this soup, I wanted to deeply caramelize them to ensure they make for the most flavorful French onion soup.
So, start with sweet yellow onions, butter, a touch of honey, and dry white wine.
The butter is used for obvious reasons…fat, flavor, and deliciousness. The honey helps to cook and caramelize the onions faster. I always find these ingredients to be key when trying to achieve perfectly caramelized onions. Now, the wine…use a dry white wine, which is pretty traditional in most French onion soups. You’ll cook about half of the wine into the onions. Not only does this help the onions to caramelize quickly and evenly, it also infuses the onions with incredibly rich flavor.
It’s delish.
If you prefer not to cook with wine, I recommend using about half a cup of apple cider or apple juice to caramelize the onions. For the remaining amount of wine (another half cup), use chicken or vegetable broth.
Once the onions have been caramelized, toss in the herbs and those mushrooms. The mushrooms add such a rich flavor, they help to highlight the caramelized onions and herbs.
Now add the broth. You can use vegetable broth to make this vegetarian, or use chicken broth…either one works really well. Simmer the soup for ten or so minutes, then add the cream. The cream is the key to this soup. It’s not heavy, but it adds a rich creaminess that really makes this soup just a touch better, a touch more indulgent, and truly just delightful.
Once the soup has simmered for a bit, transfer it to small oven-safe ramekins. These are the mini Staub cocottes I sometimes like to use. But I adore these mini pumpkin cocottes as well, so cute. Top with crusty french bread, and a layer of cheese. Then place under the broiler to melt. Watch closely, the broiler works fast.
If you don’t have any oven-safe bowls, simply melt the cheese onto the bread, then add the cheesy bread to the soup.
Then simply pull these out of the oven and experience the bubbling cheese and the deliciousness of a truly good bowl of French onion soup. And guys, that’s it. This soup is truly one of those roll your eyes back, crave-worthy, fall/winter comfort foods.
It’s going to make the best Sunday night dinner, but will be equally great for the upcoming holidays and for low-key entertaining. I already have plans to make this on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s a soup that everyone loves!
Looking for other warming fall/winter soups? Here are my favorites:
Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Creamy Wild Rice Chicken Soup with Roasted Mushrooms
Cream of Mushroom Soup with Garlic Herb Breadcrumbs
Lastly, if you make this Creamy French Onion and Mushroom Soup, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
My husband- “This isn’t the recipe you made last time; THIS ONE IS A KEEPER!”
Thank you!
Hey Karlee,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for trying it out! Have a great weekend! 👻
Sorry, forgot to rate it last night.
Sandy H.
Thanks again Sandy:)
You have outdone yourself with this Creamy French Onion & Mushroom Soup, Tieghan. It is divine! As good as ANY French onion soup I have ordered at restaurants through the years. I used whole milk instead of cream, and it was still so decadent. A home run!!
Hey Sandy,
Happy Monday!! 👻 I am so glad this recipe was tasty for you, thanks a lot for trying it out! xT
This soup is DELICIOUS! Followed recipe exactly and it was superb! Don’t change a thing. I liked it better than the straight forward onion soup recipes. thanks for sharing!! on my rotation list now especially for company–It’s that good!
Hey Sandy,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! xx
Hi Tieghan,
I want to make the soup, but I’m wondering if the pot/bowl/ you used, did you put it in the oven?
Hey Sindy,
Here is the link for the bowls that I used! Just a heads up, the wooden handle is not oven safe so I wrap those in foil!
https://food52.com/shop/products/3718-food52-x-dansk-kobenstyle-saucepan?sku=16496&gclid=CjwKCAjw0On8BRAgEiwAincsHBe3a8SuK74DVnhhA2PAv19u6Swe9MBN9o-zsXgTkAEYTMR-AiwApBoC9x0QAvD_BwE
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Loved the addition of mushrooms & a splash of cream. Delicious!
Hey Christine,
Fantastic!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for trying it out! Have a great weekend! xx
Loved this! Wondering if it can be frozen?
Thanks so much Kate!! You could freeze the broth/onion/mushroom part, but I would wait to add the bread and cheese until you thaw the soup. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Making the soup tonight for dinner but I have to ask where did you get those GORGEOUS soup bowls/pans????
Hey Kiri,
Here is the link for the soup bowls:
https://food52.com/shop/products/3718-food52-x-dansk-kobenstyle-saucepan?sku=16496&gclid=CjwKCAjw0On8BRAgEiwAincsHBe3a8SuK74DVnhhA2PAv19u6Swe9MBN9o-zsXgTkAEYTMR-AiwApBoC9x0QAvD_BwE
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This soup was restaurant quality! followed the recipe, no deviations and it was probably the best onion soup I’ve ever had. Onions caramelized per instructions. I can’t wait to make it for company (or for me and hubby again)!!!
Hi Sandy,
Happy Monday!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was tasty for you! Thanks for making it:) xx
I gave that rating but I haven’t tried this soup yet. I want to very soon.
How does it reheat?
Thanks!
Thanks Kris! Yes, this reheats well! I hope you love the recipe:)
It didn’t turn out as good as I had hoped. The onions didn’t carmelize enough because of all the wine we added. The broth was a little too sweet. I would not make this one again. I will go back to my old recipe.
Hi Lynne,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed. Sounds like you needed to allow the onions to caramelize longer before adding the wine. xx
This was fantastic. I will definitely make it again.
Hi Kathleen,
Happy Monday!! I truly appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed! xx
This soup was fantastic! However, it took waaay longer to caramelize the onions in order to get that deep, rich color indicated. Next time I’ll set aside at least 1.75 hours. But overall we were very happy.
Hi Melissa,
Happy Monday!! I truly appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed! Sorry this took longer than expected! xx
This was AMAZING 11/10 absolutely making it again (maybe adding more cheese next time because I’m a cheese monster)
Hi Alyssa,
Awesome!! I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it! Hope you’re off to a great weekend! xT
Would love to know where you got those lovely crocks! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Hey Caleb,
Here is the link for the crocks:
https://food52.com/shop/products/3718-food52-x-dansk-kobenstyle-saucepan?sku=16496&gclid=CjwKCAjw0On8BRAgEiwAincsHBe3a8SuK74DVnhhA2PAv19u6Swe9MBN9o-zsXgTkAEYTMR-AiwApBoC9x0QAvD_BwE
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx