French Onion Lentil Soup
Trader Joe'sFrench Onion Lentil Soup
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 yellow onions, large, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 cups brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce, or vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For Serving (Optional)
- 4 slices crusty bread, toasted
- 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded, or Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until deeply caramelized and golden brown. This step is crucial for flavor.
⏱️ 30 min
- 2
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Pour in the dry white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to deglaze and release any browned bits. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the wine to reduce slightly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Stir in the vegetable broth, rinsed lentils, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaf, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 30 min
- 6
Remove the thyme stems and bay leaf from the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Ladle the hot soup into bowls. If desired, top each bowl with a slice of toasted crusty bread and a sprinkle of shredded Gruyere cheese. For a classic French onion soup experience, you can place the bowls under a broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 8
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Trader Joe'sFrench Onion Lentil Soup
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 yellow onions, large, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 cups brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce, or vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For Serving (Optional)
- 4 slices crusty bread, toasted
- 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded, or Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until deeply caramelized and golden brown. This step is crucial for flavor.
⏱️ 30 min - 2
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Pour in the dry white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to deglaze and release any browned bits. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the wine to reduce slightly.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Stir in the vegetable broth, rinsed lentils, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaf, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 30 min - 6
Remove the thyme stems and bay leaf from the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Ladle the hot soup into bowls. If desired, top each bowl with a slice of toasted crusty bread and a sprinkle of shredded Gruyere cheese. For a classic French onion soup experience, you can place the bowls under a broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 8
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.