Miso French Onion Soup Recipe (2024)

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Christa

I consider myself a French onion soup connoisseur, but I also prefer to eat vegetarian: that being said, this soup is AMAZING. The miso is a BRILLIANT idea. Don't be stupid, however, as I was: whisk in the miso BEFORE adding the onions (duh). The thyme is a lovely touch: don't leave it out.

PNRN

Love this! This is the 2nd time I've cooked it. I used (Organicville's Saikyo sweet white miso) last time & a pretty good red miso this time (Westbrae's Organic Mellow Miso, red). I preferred the white. A note about miso: it contains living probiotics. If you boil it as the recipe directs, you're killing all that goodness. Save it for the end, then add a tablespoon to your empty bowl, then stir in the slightly cooled soup.

Naomi

Do not COOK the miso. If you do, you destroy ALL the enzymes and diminish the flavor. Miso should be added at the end of all cooking, after stovetop cooking is finished. Easiest is to pour off some liquid, add the miso to that and cream / dissolve, returning the mixture back to the saucepan and proceeding.

Tessa

Perhaps because not everyone eats meat and a vegetarian alternative is nice to have?

Mary S.

I have not had onion soup in years since I have never been able to find a good vegetarian version - but this one is fantastic! The only thing I would change is to consider doubling the recipe - it is hard to stop at one bowl. And, if you want to make it vegan, there are many wonderful vegan cheeses to substitute for the swiss

Naomi

The only issue with miso as it is used in this recipe is the cooking. Miso should not be cooked since that destroys the enzymes - the beneficial aspect and what makes miso so special. Might be better to hold some liquid off, add and blend the miso to that and combine after everything has cooked. I realize it's difficult to add once the crouton is in place but it could be done carefully.

jennifer smaldone

I've used miso in other soup recipes and the recipes usually suggest using white miso for it's milder flavor. Most recently I used it in chicken soup with baby bok choy and the flavor was sublime!

daniel shulman

I came to this onion soup after a disaster with another recipe. I doubled it and all was well. This one works, and I highly recommend it.

Libby

Terrific recipe, fills the french onion soup-sized hole in my heart that's been there since I stopped eating meat. I deglaze the onions with red wine before adding the water and miso, makes for a richer flavor.

Lneedle

Rather than using miso, I've gotten a more authentic, classic taste using Bragg's Liquid Aminos, which is an un-fermented soy sauce made of just soybeans and water (though it's plenty salty).

Naomi

Because some of us are vegetarian? I know, crazy.

John

They're leaving it up to you because you could do it either way--red for a fuller flavor, and white for mild. It would probably be good either way--miso is not very strong tasting, especially diluted with this much water, and all those onions and cheese!

Fred Rickson

I make French onion soup often, and I just wish I could convince folks to get some real, aged Swiss Gruyere cheese. It is not French Comte, and above all, it is not supermarket Swiss. Maybe it’s because my caramelized onions take 90 minutes or so, but the cheese really is important.

MrBillow

Made a trial single bowl--excellent! Might have to put in my regular rotation. Used a parmigiano cause it was what I had around.

Nick

This is my go-to recipe when entertaining people. With a good salad as an appetizer, this can easily be turned into a full meal. A couple notes: (1) I usually cook the croutons a little longer than noted. About 5 minutes on each side. (2) I use two slices of cheese per bowl of soup. (3) Stir in the miso before adding the onions! (4) I use a bit more thyme than noted.

Meg Scofield

Rub bread slices w garlicCook longer, about 5 mins on each sideCarmelize onions in 2 quart pan, then deglaze onions w wine before adding stock

Susan

Where have you found soup bowls which can be broiled (vs going in the oven)? I have searched to no avail

Coco

Denby!

LJ

I've made this soup several times and I love the recipe ! I I like to simmer it a bit longer and usually use more onions and miso. I also use vegetable stock instead of water for a richer taste.

Andrew

Love the miso addition, a bit too salty.

Aviva

This is not a traditional French onion soup; if you are looking for that, look elsewhere. However, it is delicious and a great use of miso paste. I will definitely make this again!

jackie

Of course it's not; French Onion Soup is NOT vegetarian.

Nick

This is my go-to recipe when entertaining people. With a good salad as an appetizer, this can easily be turned into a full meal. A couple notes: (1) I usually cook the croutons a little longer than noted. About 5 minutes on each side. (2) I use two slices of cheese per bowl of soup. (3) Stir in the miso before adding the onions! (4) I use a bit more thyme than noted.

Hungryman

This dish receives conditional hungryman approval. While it IS extremely delicious, the phrase "simmer and salt and pepper as needed" makes an important step sound like a flourish. In my kitchen, it took a significant amount of simmering (~30 min) before the mixture reduced to a concentrated, delicious soup. Also, the crouton making process is implied rather than explained.These two issues could make this recipe confusing for the average hungryman. Barring those, it is a hungryman homerun.

lisa

Because I am lazy, I made this as a one-ish pot meal by caramelizing the onions, removing them, and deglazing the pot with a little sherry. I’ve made it the other way, too, but I think that this ups the umami.

hannah

Added a tablespoon of bouillon and rosemary instead of thyme. Used four cups water and a little extra miso. So good!

Nancy

This is excellent. I mostly followed the directions. I cut the oil for carmelizing the onions in half (i.e., 2 Tbsp rather than 1/4 cup.) It took a good 90 minutes for good carmelization, worth the time, and you don’t need to stir constantly. 5-10 minutes between stirrings works.Toast baguette slices without oil to reduce fat. The extra oil is not necessary. It took 4 cups of water to finish, not 3. And yes, don’t boil the miso. Made about 6 9-oz servings of the soup. Perfect. A favorite.

Ruth

Delicious! I used less miso, added mushrooms, a teaspoon of soy sauce, and a teaspoon bouillon.

Lacey

Tastes nothing like French Onion Soup but was still very good. I used powdered miso and the flavor of the miso still ended up being too strong. To temper the flavor I followed other users suggestions and added a generous amount of red wine to round out the soup and get more of the beef-y flavor.

Fred Rickson

I make French onion soup often, and I just wish I could convince folks to get some real, aged Swiss Gruyere cheese. It is not French Comte, and above all, it is not supermarket Swiss. Maybe it’s because my caramelized onions take 90 minutes or so, but the cheese really is important.

Traci

Everyone loved this dish but it was a bit salty. I will add more water next time. I also switched swiss for gruyere because I can't resist bubbly brown gruyere.

Libby

Terrific recipe, fills the french onion soup-sized hole in my heart that's been there since I stopped eating meat. I deglaze the onions with red wine before adding the water and miso, makes for a richer flavor.

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Miso French Onion Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make miso soup taste better? ›

If you love a vibrant taste, use your miso soup as the foundation on which you build other great flavors. Add ingredients like mushrooms, red and green peppers, edamame, onions, leeks and other vegetables. The combination of such foods thickens the broth and benefits more than your tastebuds.

How do you deepen the flavor of French onion soup? ›

A few sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf elevate the soup even more, but I take it a step further, adding a splash of fish sauce for complexity and depth—don't worry, it won't taste fishy—and a hit of cider vinegar to balance some of that oniony sweetness.

Is miso soup actually good for you? ›

Rich in nutrients: Miso contains many healthy vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, manganese, zinc, protein and calcium. Many of these nutrients support essential structures like the bones and nervous system. Improves digestion: Because miso is high in probiotics, it helps the body maintain healthy bacteria levels.

How to make miso soup without killing the probiotics? ›

Avoid high heat when cooking with it, as it will kill off the good bacteria. When making miso soup, turn off the heat and dissolve (using a muddler like this will help avoid clumps).

What should I add to my miso soup? ›

The greens and noodles make a wonderful meal. I like to add grated ginger, tofu, and veggies to miso. My Japanese friend taught me to mix red and white miso pastes for an authentic flavor.

Should you not boil miso soup? ›

Don't bring the soup to a boil!

Because miso is a fermented food, it's teeming with probiotics. Boiling miso kills these beneficial bacteria, so you'll miss out on some of its health benefits.

Why do you put baking soda in French onion soup? ›

The caramelized onions for this soup cook more quickly due to a pinch of baking soda but still have that deep, slow-cooked flavor. Topping the soup with hot, cheesy toasts prepared while the soup simmers, eliminates the need to bake the soup in specialty French onion soup bowls.

Why does my French onion soup taste burnt? ›

If the heat is too high, the onions will burn. If you don't stir often at beginning and almost constantly toward the end, the onions will burn. If one little bit burns the whole batch needs to be tossed. Otherwise the soup ends up tasting like burnt onion.

Why does my French onion soup taste sweet? ›

Onions are very sweet, especially when they're cooked down, and that is the main purpose of onion soup. The sweetness can be balanced by adding some dry wine or vinegar. Taste as you go and don't overdo it. A little salt will balance it too, but don't forget that the grated cheese you will top it with is salty.

Which color miso is healthiest? ›

In terms of health benefits, the darker and more strongly flavored miso varieties tend to be the most nutritious. Here are a few of the healthiest types of miso: Red Miso: Made with a higher percentage of soybeans and fermented for a longer period of time, red miso has a rich, complex flavor and a dark red-brown color.

Can you eat too much miso soup? ›

Miso is generally safe for most people; however, if you follow a low-salt (sodium) diet, you may wish to limit your intake because miso has high levels. Soybeans are considered to be goitrogenic. This means if you have a thyroid issue you may be advised to minimise your intake.

Is miso soup anti inflammatory? ›

The consumption of miso has also been reported to exert health effects, such as fat suppression [9], anti-inflammation [10] and stroke prevention [11]. Miso contains various microorganisms, such as Aspergillus, yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB).

Is miso soup a natural laxative? ›

Miso improves your digestion

Having a healthy gut flora is very important because it helps defend your body against toxins and harmful bacteria. It also improves digestion and reduces gas, constipation and antibiotic-related diarrhea or bloating ( 6 , 8 , 9 ).

What can I use instead of dashi in miso soup? ›

The base of any great miso soup is its liquid component. In lieu of dashi, a homemade vegetable broth can be used. Not only does this serve as a dashi substitute, but it also adds a layer of flavor complexity while keeping the dish plant-based and accessible to those on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Does hot water destroy miso? ›

Boiling miso can harm the probiotic bacteria. At temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit these delicate bacteria are destroyed. We recommend adding miso paste to soups just prior to serving.

How do you make miso soup less bland? ›

Shrimp or fish—fish flavors lend themselves very well to any miso soup recipe. Mushrooms—maitake or enoki mushrooms, easily found in any Asian supermarket, also add great flavor and impart a number of additional health benefits.

What does miso taste good with? ›

Pair white miso with chicken, roasted vegetables, or a white fish like cod; you can also use it in marinades, salad dressing, or miso butter. Aka (red) miso is a dark, rich miso made with a higher proportion of soybeans to rice koji.

Why is my miso bland? ›

AVOID BOILING MISO

If it is added at the start of cooking and boiled, the flavours lose there subtle of sweet and savoury tones and you are left with a much more one-dimensional taste.

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