Written by Pam Published on
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Whenever I go to Panera Bread I have a bowl of their French Onion Soup. It is my absolute favorite soup. Just thinking of it makes me hungry. Long ago, in 2010, I happened to find a Panera Bread French Onion soup copycat recipe that seemed easy, if a bit time-consuming. Then, I found a few more recipes. I made a few adaptations, combining the recipes until I found a combination I liked. The results are well worth the trouble.
Panera Bread French Onion Soup Copycat Recipe
Serve this soup with a sandwich made with crusty bread or with a gourmet salad. This soup tastes so good our family thinks it is even better than Panera. It’s thick, rich, and has so much onion flavor.
Cooking Tips:
- Adjust the salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary in this recipe to suit your taste. Always start with the lowest amount of seasoning and then add more as needed.
- Need a gluten-free version of this soup? Substitute an equal amount of gluten-free one-to-one flour for the flour used in the recipe and 1 tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce or tamari for the soy sauce.
- You can also substitute 1/4 cup cornstarch for the flour.
- Also, use gluten-free bread when preparing the croutons or omit the croutons.
- This makes a thick soup, so if you prefer a thinner soup use 1/4 cup flour.
Good Additions:
- Make the soup more authentic by serving it with homemade croutons (see tip below on how to make them.)
- Sprinkle the top with Parmesan Cheese.
- Sometimes, when I don’t have Parmesan on hand, I shred mozzarella to place on top. It’s still delicious.
Homemade Croutons Recipe
Ingredients Needed:
- 1 loaf of French bread
- 1 stick of butter (preferably unsalted)
- optional seasonings: 1 to 2 teaspoons of your choice of garlic powder or onion powder- adjust this to your taste
To Make the Croutons:
- Cut the French bread into cubes. I try to make my cubes around 1-inch in size.
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the bread cubes. If using seasoning, sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the bread.
- Saute the bread for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often to evenly coat the bread.
- Remove the bread from the skillet and place on paper towels to drain.
Freezing Instructions:
The copycat Panera Bread French Onion soup recipe can be frozen so you’ll always have a batch on hand! Here’s how to do it:
- Allow the soup to cool at least 20 to 30 minutes before freezing.
- Place the soup in an airtight container or freezer storage bag. Store for up to 3 months.
- To thaw, place the soup in the refrigerator overnight.
- Do not add croutons or cheese to the soup before freezing.
Printable Recipe:
Panera Bread French Onion Soup Copycat Recipe
Recipe by Pam
Servings
6
servings
Prep time
20
minutes
Cooking time
35
minutes
Calorieskcal
A copycat recipe of Panera Bread’s French Onion Soup.
Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
4 large white onions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
7 cups beef broth
2 cups chicken broth, divided into 2 equal portions
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, use to taste
1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, use to taste
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, use to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
For Garnish: Use the following:
6 slices French Bread Or Homemade Croutons (see recipe above)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Directions
- In a large bowl mix the beef broth and 1 cup of the chicken broth. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining chicken broth and the flour until combined and no lumps remain.
- In a large Dutch oven or saucepan, over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring constantly, until the onions are tender and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add the chicken broth and flour mixture to the soup. Stir constantly, around 2 to 3 minutes or until blended. Blend in the beef/chicken broth mixture.
- Add the dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, pepper, bay leaf, hot pepper sauce, and soy sauce to the soup. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve topped with French bread or homemade croutons, see recipe above, and shredded Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- This makes a thick soup. If you prefer a thinner soup use 1/4 cup flour.
If you like this recipe, you can find the original, unadapted recipe here.
What is your favorite copycat recipe? Which copycat recipe do you make at home?
You Might Like These Soup Recipes:
33 Comments
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Pam
February 16, 2021 at 8:54 am
Hi Sarah,
Sorry about the red wine. I had added it as an optional ingredient and then decided to take it out. I thought I had removed the step. If you want to add red wine, use 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup depending on taste. Also, yes, the onions could be diced instead of sliced if you prefer. -
Robin
January 22, 2017 at 7:16 pm
I also reduce the amount of pepper added to the recipe, but I add a dash of Tabasco to give it a little bite. (I found that tip on another copycat version of the recipe).
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January 17, 2016 at 4:10 pm
This soup looks great.
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Jim
October 28, 2015 at 12:23 am
Made this soup Sunday it’s all I’ve had for dinner last 3 days I think it’s better than Panera what a great job on the recipe Thanks so much. Since Panera took it off their menu I thiught I would never find a French onion as good but your beats it hands down. FANTASTIC
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Pam
January 13, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Glad you enjoyed it!
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Becky
August 6, 2015 at 10:05 am
Watch the seasoning! I should have tasted the soup before blindly following the directions. I like black pepper, but 1.5 teaspoons is A LOT of pepper! I ruined the whole pot. I’m so stubborn that I ate a bowl anyway. I think it would be delicious with less pepper. I’ll try again.
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Pam
August 6, 2015 at 1:16 pm
Yes, definitely adjust the seasonings to taste! Thanks for letting me know, Becky!
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Carrie Phelps
January 2, 2014 at 7:13 pm
I get this every time I go there! Thank you for sharing!!
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January 2, 2014 at 6:23 pm
I love French onion soup. I also love Panera but have somehow never had this soup there before. I am glad that you simplified the recipe. Sometimes it’s hard to enjoy the meal if you have to work up the energy just to make it!
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January 2, 2014 at 1:31 pm
I love their soup too! I am excited to try this recipe. It will hit the spot this weekend!
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amanda @attachedmoms
January 2, 2014 at 10:49 am
I love soups. So many great ones out there and this sounds like a winner too!
- See AlsoCoconut Pie Recipe on Food52
January 2, 2014 at 10:36 am
That was my dad’s absolute favorite soup. Oh, how I wish I could fix him a bowl of your recipe!
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January 2, 2014 at 9:44 am
I love Panera! I think I could change up the flour for Corn Starch in this recipe and be fine with my new restrictions… Thank you! I’m going to try it. Sounds yummy!
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January 1, 2014 at 11:40 pm
Well now I’m hungry after reading this post, especially for Panera!
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January 1, 2014 at 9:47 pm
i would perfer the bread to not be in my soup, but i would love a side plate of bread with my soup, but the recipe sounds delicious, so ill try it with the bread, who knows, it might taste gooood
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January 1, 2014 at 9:38 pm
French onion soup sounds like a great way to warm up with the impending snowstorm that we will be having here in New York City this week. I can just imagine how hearty it tastes.
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January 1, 2014 at 8:56 pm
I was never really into french onion soup but your dish looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.
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January 1, 2014 at 8:46 pm
I love finding good copy cat recipes for my favorite places. We are finally getting a Panera Bread near me but would still rather make it at home.
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Laura J
January 1, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Oh wow..that looks amazing!!!! I HAVE to try this! I love their soup!
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January 1, 2014 at 3:47 pm
My mom recently treated me to Panera and I have been hooked ever since. I love their broccoli cheddar soup but will have to try their onion soup next time. If it looks anything like your recipe, I am sure it will be amazing!
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January 1, 2014 at 3:16 pm
I have to admit I’m a bit boring when it comes to soup and normally just stick to tomato but this does look and sound nice – I could definitely be persuaded to try it. x
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January 1, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Onion soup is my FAVE soup… especially in the winter time. This looks delicious, Pam. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I’ll give it a go.
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January 1, 2014 at 2:39 pm
I love french onion soup but the recipe I have calls for sugar. I don’t see sugar in your recipe so I need to try it. I will be back to let you know if I do and how it turns out.
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January 1, 2014 at 1:42 pm
Oh I need this! We don’t have a panera bread near us and I have been missing their food something fierce ever since we moved here!
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January 1, 2014 at 1:37 pm
this looks delicious i’ve never eaten at Panera but the copycat recipes looks amazing pinning it for later
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January 1, 2014 at 12:57 pm
I love me some soup. Never had french onion soup before though. Today we are going to town on some awesome soup joumou. Can’t wait for that! Have a wonderful new year!
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January 1, 2014 at 12:39 pm
I love French onion soup! I’ve never had it at Panera, but this looks wonderful!
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January 1, 2014 at 12:03 pm
I love that soup and I definitley want to try this at home. I’ll save myself tons of money by making it myself 🙂
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January 1, 2014 at 11:35 am
I have never tried French Onion soup before, but this looks easy enough to try
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January 1, 2014 at 9:34 am
I do like Panera’s soups–my favorite was the Acorn Squash Soup actually (anyone have a copy cat recipe for that one?) My only problem with their soup-French Onion in particular is how salty it tastes–maybe if I make it myself and reduce the salt WAY DOWN–and try to get no salt broths–now there is an idea!!
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