This Panera Bread French Onion Soup Recipe is so good and great for dinner! Simple ingredients will get this Panera Bread favorite on the table in no time.
What is Panera Bread French Onion Soup?
Panera Bread French Onion Soup is a classic soup made with sweet caramelized onions, rich beef broth and topped with a crouton of melted cheese. It’s a delicious comfort food that goes perfectly with a salad or sandwich for an easy weeknight meal.
Why did Panera discontinue this popular soup?
At the end of 2019, Panera Bread decided to discontinue its popular French Onion Soup. Unfortunately, this decision was made with a focus on simplifying the chain’s menu and streamlining ingredients across the board.
What can I do to get my favorite soup back?
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about the discontinuation of the soup, but don’t worry. You can still get your favorite french onion soup fix with this delicious homemade recipe! This copycat recipe is great in bread bowls or with a whole grain baguette. This Panera french onion soup recipe is great for old school panera fans!
Where should you serve this French Onion Soup recipe?
This French Onion Soup recipe serves four and is perfect for a family dinner or casual get-together. Serve it with a crisp salad, crusty bread and some cheese to take the flavors even further!
It’s sure to become a household favorite in no time. You can even add gruyere cheese and homemade croutons on the top of the soup. It’s one of those savory soups with sweet onions that is a crowd favorite.
Grab your large dutch oven and loaf of sourdough bread or foccacia bread and maybe some red wine and let’s get to work!
What ingredients do you need to make this Panera Bread French Onion Soup?
Ingredients:
Tomato Gastrique
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- ¼ cup tomato sauce
Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups yellow onions, sliced
- ⅛ cup all purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Tomato Gastrique
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup croutons
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
What tools do you need to make this delicious soup?
- Pot
- Saucepan
- Cutting Board
- Butane Torch
What are some other fun french onion recipes to try?
- 3 Ingredient Quick French Onion Dip Appetizer
- The Most Delicious Oven Baked French Onion Dip
- Instant Pot French Onion Chicken Recipe
What are some helpful tips for making this panera bread french onion soup?
1. When slicing the onions, make sure to cut them in even slices so that they all cook at the same rate.
2. Use a good quality beef broth for maximum flavor.
3. If you don’t have a butane torch to melt the cheese on top, you can use your oven’s broiler setting.
4. If you want the soup to be creamier, add a splash of heavy cream before serving.
5. For an extra kick of flavor, add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce when adding the chicken stock.
6. Save time by making the tomato gastrique ahead of time and refrigerating it until needed.
7. This recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger crowd.
If you have any leftovers you can put in in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
For more wonderful soup recipes be sure to check out The Best Delicious Comforting Soup Recipes!
Copycat Panera Bread French Onion Soup Recipe
This delicious french onion soup Panera Bread copycat is so good and great to make for dinner!
Ingredients
- Tomato Gastrique
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- ¼ cup tomato sauce
- Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups yellow onions, sliced
- ⅛ cup all purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Tomato Gastrique
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup croutons
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Start by creating the tomato gastrique by boiling the white vinegar in a saucepan until it has boiled down to half its amount of liquid.
- Add the sugar to the white vinegar and mix continuously for about 3-5 minutes or until the mixture has become syrupy.
- Add the tomato sauce to this syrup and mix until combined. Then remove from the heat.
- In another saucepan add the olive oil and sliced onions and cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes or until the onions have become golden brown and caramelized.
- Add the flour and mix the onions until they are fully coated and the flour covered onions soak up all the juices.
- Transfer the onions to a large pot and add in the chicken broth, tomato gastrique, soy sauce, cornstarch and all the seasonings. Stir this mixture together.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring every so often.
- When serving in a bowl, top with croutons and cheese, if available use a butane torch to melt the cheese and enjoy!
Notes
If no torch, once you’ve sprinkled the cheese, cover the top with a napkin for a minute or so to let the cheese melt
Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze for over a month.
Nutrition Information
Yield
5Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 349Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 17mgSodium 935mgCarbohydrates 48gFiber 4gSugar 24gProtein 12g
Pin it for later!
If you enjoyed this recipe be sure to check out my Instagram Page for the latest posts!
Before you go, check out these great posts!
The Best Pasta Recipes For Weeknight Dinners
Easy and Tasty Dinner Ideas For The Whole Family
The Best Party Appetizers For Entertaining
Hi! I’m Nellie. I am a busy mama of three, wife to my high school sweetheart who loves to cook, workout and stay organized! I love to share helpful printables, the best recipes and fitness tips for the modern mom. I strongly believe that every mom can feed their family well, take proper care of themselves and have fun along the way! Read my story.
Get comfortable and be sure to come hang out with me on social. Don’t grab your free fitness journal before you go!