Quick French Onion White Bean Soup Recipe

There are few things as satisfying as a bowl of soup topped with melted cheese and toasted bread on a cold evening. It immediately warms you up from the inside out and feels like a proper hug in a bowl.

My version of French Onion White Bean Soup takes that classic comfort food and turns it into a hearty main dish by adding creamy beans. The best part is that you get all that deep, savory flavor without standing over the stove for hours.

What Makes This French Onion White Bean Soup Special

The combination of sweet caramelized onions and savory soy sauce creates a broth that tastes incredibly complex. It mimics the richness of beef stock perfectly while keeping the entire pot strictly vegetarian.

You won’t need to spend an entire afternoon caramelizing onions to get that deep, golden color. My method uses a covered pot to steam them first, significantly cutting down the cooking time while locking in sweetness.

Adding white beans transforms a typically light starter into a substantial meal that actually keeps you full. Topping it off with mustard-spiked Gruyère croutons adds a sharp, crunchy contrast to the tender beans.

If you enjoyed this cozy bowl, you might also love my Cozy Crab Topped Salmon Recipe for another comforting dinner option. For something meaty and rich, the Hearty Cheese Stuffed Meatballs Recipe is always a huge hit at my table.

Everything You Need for Perfect French Onion White Bean Soup

Here is the shopping list you will need to gather before you start cooking:

• Yellow Onions: You will need about four medium onions, thinly sliced to create the base of the soup.
• Butter: Salted or unsalted butter works well here for cooking the onions and making the croutons.
• Thyme Leaves: Fresh thyme adds an earthy, aromatic note that balances the sweetness of the onions.
• Sugar: A small amount helps encourage the caramelization process.
• Balsamic Vinegar: This adds acidity and depth, helping to deglaze the fond from the bottom of the pot.
• Soy Sauce or Tamari: This secret ingredient adds savory umami richness, mimicking the depth of beef broth.
• Vegetable Stock: Use a high-quality stock to ensure the broth is flavorful.
• White Beans: Cannellini or butter beans are perfect for their creamy texture and mild flavor.
• Bread: Sourdough or ciabatta works best for sturdy croutons that hold up to the soup.
• Gruyère Cheese: This melts beautifully and provides that classic nutty, salty finish.
• Dijon Mustard: A little bit mixed into the crouton butter adds a nice sharp kick.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning every layer of the dish.

My Method for Perfect French Onion White Bean Soup

Let’s get cooking and fill the kitchen with incredible smells:

1. Start by preparing the onion base in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Melt the butter until it bubbles, then toss in the sliced onions, thyme leaves, sugar, and salt. Stir everything well to coat the onions in the fat, then cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let them cook for about 20 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes to prevent sticking; the steam trapped inside helps them soften rapidly without burning, but if you notice them catching, just lower the heat slightly.
2. While the onions are doing their thing, you can get the cheesy croutons ready. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, melt the butter (using the microwave or stovetop) and whisk in the mustard, extra thyme, salt, and pepper. Add your bread chunks to the bowl and toss them thoroughly until every piece is coated in the savory butter mixture. Spread them out on the baking sheet, sprinkle the grated Gruyère over the top, and bake for 16 to 18 minutes until they are golden and crispy.
3. Once the onions are very soft and deeply caramelized, take the lid off the pot. Pour in the balsamic vinegar and soy sauce, stirring vigorously to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, as this is where all the flavor lives. Pour in the vegetable stock and the drained white beans, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the pot again and let it cook on medium heat for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together, then season generously with black pepper and more salt if needed.
4. To serve, ladle the hot soup into deep bowls. Immediately top each portion with a handful of the warm, cheesy croutons. Garnish with a few fresh thyme leaves for a pop of color and enjoy while the bread is still crunchy.

My Best Tips for Perfect French Onion White Bean Soup

Slicing the onions thinly and evenly is crucial for getting that melt-in-your-mouth texture without burning. I recommend using a sharp knife or a mandoline to ensure every piece cooks at the same rate.

Use a wide, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to allow the French Onion White Bean Soup base to cook properly. If the pot is too small, the onions will steam in their own juices rather than developing that essential golden fond on the bottom.

Grating your own Gruyère cheese from a block makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts on the croutons. Pre-packaged shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the topping gritty or oily instead of gooey.

Join me on Pinterest for more easy and comforting meal inspiration like this!

How to Serve This French Onion White Bean Soup

This soup is best enjoyed immediately while the cheesy croutons are hot and crispy. I like to ladle the French Onion White Bean Soup into deep bowls and place the toasts right on top so they start to soak up the broth.

A crisp green salad with a sharp vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the caramelized onions and cheese. You can also serve extra crusty bread on the side if you want to make the meal even more filling.

French Onion White Bean Soup

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 50 min
• Yield: 4 servings
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A comforting, vegetarian twist on the classic French onion soup, featuring creamy white beans and savory cheesy croutons. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons salted or unsalted butter (for soup)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
• 4 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 (14-ounce) cans white beans (cannellini or butter beans), drained
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3 ounces Gruyère cheese, finely grated
• 1/2 pound bread (sourdough or ciabatta), cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons salted or unsalted butter (for croutons)
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves (for croutons)

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Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions, thyme, sugar, and salt. Stir to coat, cover the pot, and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions are soft and caramelized.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss the bread cubes in this mixture until coated. Arrange on a lined baking sheet, top with grated Gruyère, and bake for 16 to 18 minutes until golden.
3. Uncover the onion pot. Deglaze the pan with balsamic vinegar and soy sauce, scraping up any browned bits. Add the vegetable stock and drained beans.
4. Simmer the soup covered on medium heat for 10 minutes. Season generously with black pepper and adjust salt to taste.
5. Ladle into bowls and top with the warm cheesy croutons before serving.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread and tamari instead of soy sauce.

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cooling Time:
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: French-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 670
• Sugar: 17g
• Sodium: 1760mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 96g
• Fiber: 16g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: French onion white bean soup, vegetarian french onion soup, white bean soup, cozy soup recipe, easy weeknight dinner