Rustic Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup Recipe with Bacon Toasties

Cozy winter nights call for a hearty mushroom soup that warms you from the inside out.

Rustic flavors dance across your palate with this deeply satisfying dish.

Wild mushrooms blend seamlessly with sweet caramelized onions, creating a rich and complex profile.

Crispy bacon adds a salty crunch that perfectly compliments the creamy base.

Melted cheese toasties provide a delightful textural contrast to the smooth soup.

Each spoonful promises a comforting experience that feels like a culinary hug.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this soul-nourishing recipe.

Gather the Goods for Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup

• Onions: Sweet foundation of the soup with deep, rich flavor. Yellow or white onions work best, with good sugar content for caramelization.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates a rich, flavorful base for cooking. Butter adds depth, olive oil prevents burning.

• Salt: Helps draw moisture out of onions and intensifies overall taste. Kosher or sea salt recommended for better control.
• Mushrooms: Earthy, umami component that adds depth to the soup. Fresh button or cremini mushrooms preferred for consistent texture.

• Bacon: Crispy, smoky protein that adds textural contrast. Thick-cut or applewood-smoked varieties provide best flavor.
• Cheese: Melty topping for the toasties that provides rich, creamy element. Sharp cheddar or gruyère recommended for robust taste.

Make Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup Like a Pro

Savory Mushroom Caramelization Magic

Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium-low flame.

Add sliced onions and sprinkle with salt. Gently stir occasionally, allowing onions to transform into golden, sweet caramelized goodness. This slow cooking process takes about 20-25 minutes, so be patient and let the magic happen.

• Olive oil
• Butter
• Onions
• Salt

The key is low and slow cooking, which breaks down the onions’ natural sugars, creating a rich, deep flavor that’s absolutely irresistible.

Create Mushroom Flavor Explosion

Remove caramelized onions from the pot and set aside momentarily.

In the same pot, add a splash more olive oil and butter.

Toss in sliced mushrooms, allowing them to dance and sizzle.

• Olive oil
• Butter
• Mushrooms
• Salt
• Black pepper

Season with salt and pepper, stirring frequently until mushrooms release their moisture and develop a beautiful golden-brown color.

Build Soup Base with Depth

Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms to create a roux, which will help thicken the soup.

Pour in vegetable or chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.

Add the caramelized onions back into the pot.

• Flour
• Broth
• Caramelized onions
• Mushrooms

Simmer the mixture, allowing flavors to meld and the soup to develop a rich, creamy consistency.

Craft Cheesy Bacon Toasties

While soup simmers, prepare the topping.

Slice baguette or crusty bread into diagonal pieces.

Crisp up bacon in a skillet until perfectly golden and crunchy.

Layer bread with grated cheese- choose gruyere, swiss, or cheddar for maximum flavor.

• Bread
• Bacon
• Cheese

Toast in the oven until cheese melts and edges become golden and crispy.

Final Flourish and Serve

Ladle hot soup into bowls.

Top with crispy bacon-cheese toasties.

Garnish with fresh thyme or chopped parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Serve immediately while everything is hot and wonderfully aromatic.

Smart Moves for Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup

• Slow-Cook Onions for Sweetness: Take your time caramelizing onions on low heat, which develops rich, deep flavors and natural sweetness without burning.
• Prevent Burning Technique: Stir onions every few minutes and use a combination of butter and olive oil to help them brown evenly and prevent scorching.
• Salt Helps Caramelization: Adding a pinch of salt at the beginning draws out moisture from onions, helping them break down and caramelize more quickly.
• Control Heat Carefully: Maintain medium-low heat to ensure gentle, consistent cooking that allows onions to transform slowly into golden, jammy goodness.
• Use Wide Pan Advantage: Choose a large, wide pot to maximize surface area, which helps onions caramelize more efficiently and develop deeper flavor.

Keeping Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup Fresh and Tasty

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to restore original consistency if needed.
• Transfer soup to a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.

Great Pairings for Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup

• Choose a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir to complement the rich, earthy mushroom flavors and balance the caramelized onion sweetness.
• Select a Belgian-style brown ale or amber ale with malty undertones that will enhance the soup's deep, complex taste profile.
• Opt for a crisp, hoppy IPA that cuts through the bacon's richness and provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy soup texture.
• Serve with a crusty sourdough bread that offers a crunchy counterpoint to the smooth, velvety soup and provides an ideal surface for soaking up the savory broth.

Twists to Try on Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace bacon with crispy roasted chickpeas or smoked tofu for a protein-packed vegetarian version that maintains the soup's rich, savory profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free bread for toasties and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, making the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap traditional bread with cauliflower toast or cheese crisps, and reduce onion quantity to lower the carbohydrate content while keeping the soup's intense flavor.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute dairy cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives, and use plant-based butter for caramelizing onions to create a lactose-free version.

What Makes Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup Good

• Transform humble ingredients like onions and mushrooms into a rich, deeply savory soup that delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal culinary skills required.
• Ideal for family dinners, casual gatherings, or a comforting solo meal, this recipe adapts easily to different dietary preferences and skill levels while keeping everyone happy.
• Combine soft, sweet caramelized onions, earthy mushrooms, crispy bacon, and melted cheesy toasties to create a multi-dimensional eating experience that tantalizes every taste bud.

Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup With Cheesy Toasties And Bacon Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup invites comfort with its rich, savory depths and golden cheesy toasties. Crisp bacon crumbles crown this French-inspired classic, promising warmth and satisfaction in each luxurious spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 500 g (1 lb) mushrooms, sliced (use a mix like cremini, shiitake, and button)
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 4 cups (1 liter) chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 slices of bread (sourdough or baguette work well)
• 4 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy

Dairy and Seasoning:

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Gruyere, or mozzarella)
• 2 tablespoons butter, for spreading
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)

Aromatics and Condiments:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil and butter in a spacious pot over gentle heat, creating a luscious base for the caramelization process.
2. Introduce thinly sliced onions to the melted fat, seasoning with a delicate sprinkle of salt to enhance flavor development.
3. Tenderly manipulate the onions with intermittent stirring, allowing them to transform into a rich, amber-hued treasure over approximately 20-25 minutes.
4. Gradually decrease the heat if onions begin to brown too quickly, ensuring a slow, even caramelization that develops deep, sweet undertones.
5. Monitor the onion’s progression, watching for a golden, silky texture that indicates perfect caramelization, with edges turning a deep, mahogany-like color.
6. Maintain a patient approach, resisting the urge to rush the process, as slow cooking allows natural sugars to emerge and create an intensely flavorful foundation for the soup.

Notes

• Slice onions uniformly to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning during the long cooking process.
• Keep heat low and stir occasionally to develop rich, sweet flavor without scorching the onions.
• Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or white wine during caramelization to enhance depth and complexity of the onion’s natural sweetness.
• For a vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked paprika or roasted mushroom chips to maintain a rich, smoky flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg