Description
Country French Garlic Soup is a rich and comforting classic French recipe that blends the mellow sweetness of roasted garlic with savory broth and fresh herbs. This smooth, velvety soup is perfect for warming up on chilly days or serving as an elegant appetizer. Made from simple pantry staples, it offers versatile options for vegan, gluten-free, or indulgent variations topped with melted cheese and crusty French bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4–5 Garlic bulbs (roasted or sautéed cloves)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil or Butter
- 1 medium Onion or 3 Shallots, finely chopped
- 4 cups Chicken or Vegetable broth
- 1–2 sprigs Fresh thyme (or other herbs like rosemary, parsley, or bay leaves)
- Salt and freshly ground Black pepper, to taste
Toppings and Optional Ingredients
- Crusty French bread, sliced and toasted
- Optional: ½ cup grated Gruyere or Parmesan cheese
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for a spicy kick
- Optional: splash of cream or coconut milk for creamy texture
- Optional: cooked beans or diced potatoes for a heartier soup
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic: Peel and roast the garlic bulbs whole or sauté individual garlic cloves in olive oil until golden and soft. This softens the garlic’s sharpness and brings out its natural sweetness, which is the base flavor of the soup.
- Sauté Onions or Shallots: In the same pot, add finely chopped onions or shallots and cook slowly over medium-low heat until translucent and fragrant to form a savory base.
- Add Broth and Herbs: Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, then add fresh thyme sprigs or your chosen herbs. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook over low heat for at least 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Blend and Season: Use an immersion blender or transfer to a stand blender to puree the soup until smooth and velvety. Season carefully with salt and freshly ground black pepper to balance the flavors.
- Toast Bread and Add Cheese: Slice French bread into rustic pieces and toast until crunchy. Optionally, top with grated Gruyere or Parmesan cheese and melt slightly under a broiler. Serve the toasts either on top of the soup or alongside.
Notes
- Roasting garlic mellows its bite and adds caramelized depth essential to the soup’s flavor.
- Simmer gently over low heat to avoid bitterness and develop complex flavors.
- Use fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary for brightness and aroma.
- Serve with crispy toasted bread to add texture and soak up the flavorful broth.
- Season gradually with salt and pepper to enhance the natural sweetness of garlic without overpowering it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (without bread and cheese)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Keywords: garlic soup, French soup, roasted garlic, comforting soup, appetizer, vegan garlic soup, gluten-free soup, creamy garlic soup
