Velvety & Flavorful: The Ultimate Homemade Cream of Onion Soup Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade soup to comfort the soul, and this Cream of Onion Soup is an absolute revelation. Incredibly easy to prepare, it boasts a rich, wholesome flavor that belies its simple ingredients. This creamy, smooth concoction transforms humble onions into a luxurious experience, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for an elegant appetizer, a satisfying side dish, or a cozy main, this recipe delivers a symphony of savory notes and a delightful texture that will impress even the most discerning palates. Serve it traditionally with crispy croutons, crunchy fried onion strings, or alongside a fresh, crusty baguette for dipping.

Top-down view of a bowl of rich cream of onion soup, garnished with fresh herbs.

Why This Cream of Onion Soup Recipe Shines

This recipe isn’t just another soup; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients, when treated with care, can create something truly extraordinary. Here’s why this particular Cream of Onion Soup will become a staple in your kitchen:

Uncomplicated Yet Exquisitely Delicious: Don’t let the simplicity fool you. Crafted with only a handful of readily available ingredients, this cream of onion soup is a masterpiece of flavor. The magic happens as the onions slowly caramelize, releasing their natural sweetness and creating a deeply savory base. This natural depth, combined with a silky smooth, creamy texture, offers a comforting and sophisticated taste that’s incredibly satisfying. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need a long ingredient list to achieve gourmet results. The optional crunchy additions like croutons or fried onion strings provide a perfect textural contrast that elevates every spoonful.
Ready in Under 45 Minutes & Exceptionally Versatile: In our busy lives, quick and delicious meals are gold. This soup comes together surprisingly fast, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner, yet elegant enough for a special occasion. Its versatility is unmatched; serve it as an elegant first course at your next dinner party, a warming side to heartier mains like a juicy air-fried steak or tender bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. Beyond just serving, consider making a larger batch to use as a foundational ingredient in your holiday recipes, casseroles, or any dish that calls for a creamy base. It’s a far superior and healthier alternative to store-bought canned versions, offering fresh, authentic flavor without any artificial additives.
A Wholesome & Comforting Meal: Made from scratch with fresh vegetables, this soup is not only delicious but also genuinely wholesome. It offers a comforting warmth that soothes on chilly days, making it the perfect hug in a bowl. The natural goodness of onions and celery provides a nutritional boost, transforming this simple soup into a feel-good meal you can enjoy without guilt.

Expert Chef’s Notes for the Perfect Cream of Onion Soup

Achieving the perfect cream of onion soup is all about understanding the nuances of its core ingredients and cooking process. These chef’s tips will guide you to a consistently delicious result:

Selecting Your Onions Wisely: For this particular recipe, the good old yellow onion is your best friend. Their flavor profile is wonderfully balanced – sweet enough when cooked down, yet robust enough to form the backbone of the soup. Don’t be shy with the quantity; you’ll need approximately 1.5 pounds, which usually translates to 3 large or 4 medium onions. Remember, more onions generally mean more flavor, so err on the side of abundance. When peeling and slicing them lengthwise, be prepared for a few tears – it’s a small price to pay for the incredible flavor payoff! Uniform slices ensure even cooking and caramelization, which is key to developing that deep, sweet onion essence.
Building Flavor with Flour and “Fond”: After the onions and celery have softened beautifully, you’ll add all-purpose flour. This isn’t just for thickening; it’s a crucial step in creating a roux, which adds a nutty depth to the soup. As you stir the flour into the cooked vegetables, use a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula to meticulously scrape all the flavorful browned bits (known as “fond”) stuck at the bottom of the pot. These bits are packed with concentrated flavor that will dissolve into your soup, enriching its taste significantly. The flour will help to gently thicken the soup, providing that luxurious, velvety mouthfeel we’re aiming for.
Mastering Your Soup’s Consistency: The beauty of homemade soup lies in customizing it to your preference. If, after blending, your soup feels too thick for your liking, don’t hesitate to add more chicken broth, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir well after each addition and let it simmer for a moment to ensure it’s fully incorporated and heated through. Conversely, if you prefer an even thicker soup, you can allow it to simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce slightly, or add a tiny bit more flour (mixed with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry first, to avoid lumps).
Elevate with Gourmet Toppings and Cheeses: While delicious on its own, this cream of onion soup truly sings with thoughtful garnishes. For an indulgent, extra-cheesy flavor, stir in some freshly grated Parmesan, Gruyère, or even a sharp cheddar cheese at the very end until melted and smooth. The salty, nutty notes of these cheeses beautifully complement the sweet onions. A sprinkle of fresh, finely chopped parsley not only adds a pop of vibrant color but also a fresh, herbaceous counterpoint that brightens the entire dish. Other delightful toppings include crispy bacon bits, a swirl of crème fraîche, or even a drizzle of high-quality olive oil.

A spoonful of rich, creamy onion soup being lifted out of a white bowl, showing its smooth texture.

Ingredients Spotlight: The Heart of the Flavor

Every ingredient in this Cream of Onion Soup plays a vital role in its delicious outcome. Let’s take a closer look at some key components:

Yellow Onions: As the star of the show, yellow onions provide the quintessential sweet and savory base. When properly caramelized, they develop an incredible depth of flavor that defines the soup.
Celery: Often overlooked, celery adds a subtle earthy note and a fresh aroma that balances the sweetness of the onions. It contributes to the overall aromatic complexity.
Fresh Thyme: A classic herb pairing for onions, fresh thyme imparts a woody, slightly peppery, and floral essence that elevates the soup’s profile. Using fresh sprigs, with stems removed, ensures the purest flavor.
Garlic: Minced garlic adds a pungent, aromatic kick that rounds out the savory elements of the soup, complementing the onions without overpowering them.
All-Purpose Flour: Beyond just thickening, flour acts as a binding agent that creates a smooth, consistent texture and helps build the foundational “fond” for richer flavor.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: This provides the liquid base and depth of flavor. Using low-sodium allows you to control the saltiness, ensuring a perfectly seasoned soup. For a vegetarian version, simply swap for vegetable broth.
Heavy Cream: The secret to the soup’s luxurious creaminess. Added at the end, it transforms the broth-based mixture into a velvety, smooth indulgence. Bringing it to room temperature before adding helps prevent curdling.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This Cream of Onion Soup is fantastic freshly made, but it also stores beautifully, making it an excellent candidate for meal prep:

Refrigeration: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, this soup freezes well. Pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some headspace for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop. You may need to add a splash of broth or cream to restore its original consistency upon reheating.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the soup up to the point of adding the heavy cream. Cool it down, store it, and then reheat and stir in the cream just before serving for the freshest taste and texture.

Variations to Explore

While this recipe is perfect as is, it also serves as a wonderful canvas for culinary creativity:

Cheesy Indulgence: Beyond Parmesan and Gruyère, consider stirring in smoked gouda or provolone for a different cheesy dimension. A sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese can add a pungent, sophisticated twist for adventurous palates.
A Touch of Wine: For a more complex, French onion soup-inspired flavor, deglaze the pot with a splash of dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc) or dry sherry after the onions have softened and before adding the flour. Let it cook down for a minute to burn off the alcohol.
Herbaceous Boost: Experiment with other fresh herbs. A sprig of fresh rosemary or a bay leaf (ensure to remove it before blending) can add interesting layers of flavor. Dried herbs can also be used, but fresh will always provide a brighter taste.
Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can introduce a subtle warmth to the soup, contrasting beautifully with the creamy texture.
Roasted Vegetables: For an even deeper, more concentrated flavor, try roasting the onions and celery slightly before adding them to the pot. This caramelizes them further, enhancing their natural sweetness.

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5 from 1 vote

Cream Of Onion Soup

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 30 minutes

Total: 45 minutes

Creamy and smooth, this blended cream of onion soup is made with sliced onions, celery, fresh thyme and heavy cream.

Cheryl Malik Cheryl Malik

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4 servings

Ingredients

For the Cream of Onion Soup

▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
▢ 3 tablespoons butter
▢ 3 medium yellow onions peeled, sliced; approximately 1 ½ pounds total
▢ 3 stalks celery chopped, approximately 1 cup
▢ ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves approximately 3 sprigs, stems removed
▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
▢ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
▢ 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
▢ salt to taste
▢ freshly ground black pepper to taste
▢ 1 bay leaf
▢ ½ cup heavy cream at room temperature

Serving Suggestions (All Optional)

▢ croutons
▢ warm baguettes torn into small pieces if used as topping
▢ fried onions
▢ cheddar cheese
▢ finely chopped parsley

Get Recipe Ingredients

Equipment

large, heavy-bottomed pot
large wooden spoon
immersion blender or traditional blender, see Notes

Instructions

Add oil and butter to large pot over medium-high heat. Allow butter to melt completely, stirring occasionally to blend butter with oil. Distribute mixture across entire bottom of pot.
Once butter is melted and oil is hot and shimmery, add chopped celery and sliced onions, then immediately reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, approximately 10 minutes or until vegetables have softened.
When vegetables have softened, add minced garlic and thyme. Stir to incorporate. Cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until garlic has softened.
Sprinkle all-purpose flour into pot and stir well to coat vegetables completely.
Once vegetables are coated with flour, add chicken broth, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to incorporate ingredients, scraping up any vegetables that may have stuck to bottom of pot, then allow mixture to come to gentle boil.
When liquid begins to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer mixture, uncovered, 12 to 13 minutes. Stir mixture occasionally, making sure to scrape bottom of pot each time.
After 12 to 13 minutes, liquid should be reduced and thickened. Remove pot from heat and let liquid cool slightly.
Remove bay leaf from soup and discard. Insert immersion blender into pot and blend soup until completely smooth. See Notes below if using traditional blender.
After soup is completely blended, add room-temperature heavy cream and stir until fully incorporated. Return pot to medium-low heat and simmer soup 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, taste soup and add more salt or pepper if needed. When satisfied with flavor of soup, portion soup into serving bowls, garnish with toppings of choice if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

Make it Vegetarian: To adapt this recipe for vegetarians, simply swap the chicken broth for a high-quality vegetable broth. Ensure your chosen broth has a robust flavor to maintain the soup’s richness.
Make it Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it’s suitable for thickening) or cornstarch. If using cornstarch, create a slurry with a small amount of cold water or broth before adding it to the soup to prevent lumps. Always double-check that your chicken or vegetable broth is certified 100% gluten-free.

Tips for Blending Hot Mixtures in a Traditional Blender

While an immersion blender is ideal for convenience, a traditional blender works perfectly well with a few precautions:

Fill Safely: Never fill your blender more than halfway with hot liquid. Hot liquids expand and can cause the lid to blow off, leading to burns. Work in small batches as needed to avoid overfilling.
Ventilation is Key: Always remove the small center cap from your blender lid. This allows steam to escape and prevents pressure buildup.
Secure and Protect: Place a folded dish towel over the open center cap hole. This will help keep the lid securely in place and prevent hot liquid from splashing out while blending, ensuring safety.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Other Delicious Soups You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of comforting and flavorful soups, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes from our collection:

Chicken Florentine Soup
Hazelnut Soup with Parsnips
Kale and White Bean Soup
Shrimp and Corn Soup
Zuppa Toscana
Keto Egg Drop Soup
Buffalo Chicken Soup
Gluten Free Cream of Chicken Soup
Chicken And Stars Soup

Frequently Asked Questions About Cream of Onion Soup

We’ve gathered some common questions to help you master this delicious cream of onion soup:

Can I use red onions or sweet onions instead of yellow onions?: While yellow onions are recommended for their balanced flavor, you can certainly experiment. Sweet onions (like Vidalia or Walla Walla) will yield a sweeter soup, while red onions might add a slightly sharper, bolder flavor and a reddish tint. Adjust sweetness and seasoning to taste if you make a substitution.
Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?: Yes, it is! To make this soup dairy-free, substitute the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative. For the heavy cream, use full-fat coconut milk (from a can, not a carton) or a dairy-free heavy cream substitute. Be aware that coconut milk might impart a subtle coconut flavor, which some enjoy!
What if I don’t have an immersion blender?: No problem! A traditional upright blender works perfectly. Just remember to blend in small batches to avoid overfilling the blender with hot liquid, and always remove the center cap of the lid to allow steam to escape. Place a kitchen towel over the opening to prevent splatters. Blend until completely smooth.
How can I make the soup even thicker?: If you desire an even thicker soup, you have a few options. After blending, you can simmer the soup uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, you can create a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) and stir it into the simmering soup, allowing it to cook for a few minutes until thickened. Add gradually until desired consistency is reached.
Can I add other vegetables to this soup?: Absolutely! While the core recipe focuses on onions, you can enhance it with other vegetables. Sautéing finely diced carrots with the onions and celery can add a touch of sweetness and color. A diced potato could also be added and blended in to increase creaminess and body.
What are some good wine pairings for Cream of Onion Soup?: For a rich and creamy soup like this, a dry white wine with good acidity and some body works wonderfully. Options like an unoaked Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or a dry Riesling can cut through the richness and complement the savory onion flavors. For red wine drinkers, a light-bodied Pinot Noir could also be a surprisingly good match.

We hope you enjoy this rich, creamy, and wonderfully flavorful Cream of Onion Soup as much as we do. It’s a truly satisfying dish that proves simple ingredients can create extraordinary results. Happy cooking!