Instant Pot French Onion Soup {Paleo, Whole30}

Rich, comforting, and so full of flavor, this is the best Instant Pot French Onion soup you’ll ever eat! It is made without wine and cheese, making it perfect for Whole30, paleo, and dairy-free diets. Only you will know that it is healthy! 

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!

Soup is pretty much my favorite thing. Whole30 soups are so delicious, comforting, and healthy that I actually put together a guide on 15 Whole30 Soups to keep you warm and cozy.

Check out all my Instant Pot Soup recipes for more inspiration. Need help getting started with the Whole30? You’ll love my free printable Whole30 Meal Plan, Trader Joe’s Whole30 shopping list and my Whole30 Costco shopping list.

If you don’t want to make your own homemade bone broth, check out this post on where to buy bone broth. In a very dorky move on my part, I’ve created a free download where you can compare protein and sodium content as well as the price per ounce for various brands. #nerdalert

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 the 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.

How to Stop Onions Making You Cry

I have found the only way tears don’t stream down my face while chopping onions is to put them in the fridge for an hour before I cut them. It’s not always convenient, but when I am making something that calls for SIX onions, it is the only way to keep my fingers safe!

How to Make Instant Pot French Onion Soup

*Detailed and printable recipe is available at the bottom of the post. Slow cooker instructions are down there too!

Melt the ghee using the Saute function on the Instant Pot, 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.

Add in the arrowroot and stir.

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. <—–If you have any questions about those terms, check out this post on recipes for Instant Pot beginners.

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. Serve and try not to let the “mmmmmmm” sounds everyone is making distract you from your own bowl of soup.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• If you’re not Whole30/Paleo/dairy-free, feel free to add some grated cheese to the top of your bowl and soup and stick that bad boy under the broiler. Gruyere, provolone, and swiss are all yummy options.
• Use 1 tsp dried thyme instead of fresh.
• Not Whole30/Paleo/Gluten-free, you can sub in Worcestershire sauce for the coconut aminos, and all-purpose flour for the arrowroot powder.
• If you don’t eat beef you can use chicken bone broth in lieu of the beef stock.

More Whole30 + Paleo Soup Recipes

• Whole30 Tomato Soup
• Chipotle Instant Pot Turkey Chili
• Dairy-Free Chicken and Gnocchi Soup {this one is borderline paleo/Whole30 depending on your own rules}
• Whole30 Potato Soup
• Whole30 Beef Stew
• Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth

Instant Pot French Onion Soup WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS

One serving has 4 WW Freestyle SmartPoints.

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Instant Pot French Onion Soup {Paleo, Whole30}

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Pressurizing/depressurizing time20 mins

Total Time40 mins

Rich, comforting, and so full of flavor, this is the best Paleo French Onion soup you'll ever eat! It's perfect for Whole30, paleo, and dairy-free, diets. 

Servings: 8

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Fusion

Keyword: Instant Pot French Onion Soup, Paleo French Onion Soup, Whole30 French Onion Soup

Calories: 128kcal

Author: Sarah Cook - Sustainable Cooks

Ingredients

• 6 onion thinly sliced6 onion thinly sliced
• 4 tbsp ghee {butter if not Whole30}4 tbsp ghee {butter if not Whole30}
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 3 tbsp arrowroot powder {flour if not Whole30}3 tbsp arrowroot powder {flour if not Whole30}
• 7 cups beef broth7 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos {Worchestershire sauce if not Whole30}2 tbsp coconut aminos {Worchestershire sauce if not Whole30}
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf1 bay leaf

US Customary - Metric

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.
• Add in the arrowroot and stir.
• 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. 
• 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

Use 1 tsp dried thyme instead of fresh.

 

Not Whole30/Paleo/Gluten-free, you can sub in Worcestershire sauce for the coconut aminos, and all-purpose flour for the arrowroot powder.

 

If you don't eat beef you can use chicken bone broth in lieu of the beef stock.

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot French Onion Soup {Paleo, Whole30}

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 128 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 19mg6%

Sodium 180mg8%

Potassium 233mg7%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 10IU0%

Vitamin C 6.5mg8%

Calcium 32mg3%

Iron 0.6mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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