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Rich, comforting, and so full of flavor, this is the best Gluten-Free French Onion Soup! It is made without wine, flour, and cheese, making it perfect for Whole30, paleo, and dairy-free diets.
This soup is so incredible and made with just a few simple ingredients! And because we’re making it in the Instant Pot (slow cooker instructions are included too!), you’ll love how simple it is to whip up a batch any time the cravings start.
And trust me, one bite and you won’t be able to get this soup out of your head!
Want to make your meal prep even easier for this soup? Check out this post on freezing onions so you can always have the main ingredient ready to go!
What Are the Best Onions For French Onion Soup?
To develop the deep flavor that this soup is known for, you’ll want a strong onion. For that, I usually use a mix of red, yellow, and white onions. If I can only use one, it is red onions. Having used sweet onions in the past, I do not recommend them as I think it throws off the flavor profile. Adding in a shallot or two is always a great way to develop the flavor even more.
If you are looking for a conventional version of this recipe, check out our Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- If onions make you cry, put them in the fridge for 30-60 minutes prior to cutting them.
- Use 1 tsp dried thyme instead of fresh.
- If you don’t eat beef you can use chicken bone broth in lieu of the beef stock.
Gluten-Free French Onion Soup
Ingredients
- 6 onion thinly sliced
- 4 tbsp ghee {butter if not Whole30}
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 3 tbsp arrowroot powder {flour if not Whole30}
- 7 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos {Worchestershire sauce if not Whole30}
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Press “Saute” and let the Instant Pot heat up for 2 minutes.
- Melt the ghee and add the onions and 1/4 tsp of kosher salt. Stir occasionally until browned (15-25 minutes). Some of the onions might stick a bit, but keep pushing everything around to deglaze the pot.6 onion, 4 tbsp ghee, 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- Add in the arrowroot and stir.3 tbsp arrowroot powder
- Add in the stock, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, thyme and bay leaf. Lock the lid into place and set the steam release handle (valve on top) to “Sealing”. Press Manual>High Pressure>10 minutes.7 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf
- Allow for 5 minutes of a natural release and then flip the valve to perform a quick release. Discard stems from the thyme and the bay leaf.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Combine ghee, onions, and kosher salt and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the arrowroot and stir.
- Add in the stock, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, thyme and bay leaf. Turn slow cooker up to high and cook for an additional 1-2 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I use a slow cooker? I prefer over an insta pot
You sure can! In the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post there are slow cooker instructions. I’ll c/p below:
Slow Cooker Instructions
Combine ghee, onions, and kosher salt and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Add in the arrowroot and stir.
Add in the stock, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, thyme and bay leaf. Turn slow cooker up to high and cook for an additional 1-2 hours.
Do you think that I could substitute corn starch for the flour?
Absolutely! But I will say that if you are making this soup to be Whole30 or Paleo, cornstarch is not allowed.
Oh wow! This soup was really delicious.
How do I make this vegan? Beef and ghee won’t work – can I use vegetable stock and coconut oil as substitutes?
Naomi, I haven’t tried those substitutions so I don’t feel comfortable saying if they will turn out or not. I think you’d be better off sticking with a recipe that was intended to be vegan. Like this one: https://elavegan.com/vegan-french-onion-soup/
thank you for this recipe! made it tonight SO easy and SO delicious. PS- i used soup bones from a costco rotisserie to make a chicken broth in my instapot FIRST and THEN made this with that. LOVING IT!
Making stock in the IP is one of my favorite things, so I LOVE that you did that! My husband calls it “garbage water” because it’s made from scraps. But it’s such a great way to stretch food and reduce waste.
Just made this last night with home made beef bone broth and it was SO good! Making it again for lunch today :)) Thanks for the recipe!
Vicky, I’m so glad to hear that, and I bet the homemade bone broth made it extra special!
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review. 🙂
Is there something i can dub the ghee for to make it compatible to AIP? No dairy allowed in the elimination phase
How do they feel about vegan butter? I think that would give the best flavor.
This is AMAZING! It’s so silky and delicious.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Karen! It’s one of my favorites too. 🙂
I absolutely LOVE French Onion Soup but never want to use wine. This recipe looks perfect- thanks!
Me too Aisling! We don’t drink (just a personal choice) but when I have tried adding cooking wine to the soup, I didn’t enjoy the flavor.