---
title: "Chilean Style French Onion Soup — Sopa de Cebolla"
description: "Versión en Español. Chilean style French onion soup is onion, green pepper, and garlic sautéed in butter and olive oil, cooked slowly with paprika until golden, thickened with a little flour, simmered..."
url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-style-french-onion-soup-sopa-de-cebolla-recipe/
date: 2026-10-06
modified: 2026-10-06
author: "Carlos Uhart M."
image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/chilean-style-french-onion-soup-featured.jpg
categories: ["Soups"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Chilean Style French Onion Soup — Sopa de Cebolla

[Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-sopa-de-cebolla-a-la-chilena/)

![Chilean style French onion soup with cheese toast](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/chilean-style-french-onion-soup-featured.jpg)*Onion soup*

Chilean style French onion soup is onion, green pepper, and garlic sautéed in butter and olive oil, cooked slowly with paprika until golden, thickened with a little flour, simmered in vegetable broth for 15 minutes, and served topped with a marraqueta toast gratinated with Parmesan and chives. It takes 20 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of cooking, and serves 2.

A comforting winter soup of French origin (soupe à l’oignon), with humble roots often linked to times of hunger.

Contents

- [1. How to Make Onion Soup?](#How_to_Make_Onion_Soup)
- [2. Nutritional Information](#Nutritional_Information)
- [3. Chilean Style Onion Soup Recipe](#Chilean_Style_Onion_Soup_Recipe)
  - [3.1. Ingredients](#Ingredients)
  - [3.2. Instructions](#Instructions)
- [4. Additional Tips](#Additional_Tips)
  - [4.1. Deglaze with wine](#Deglaze_with_wine)
  - [4.2. Day old bread](#Day_old_bread)
  - [4.3. Thermomix method](#Thermomix_method)
  - [4.4. Low and slow](#Low_and_slow)
- [5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs)
  - [5.1. 1. Can I make onion soup without dairy?](#1_Can_I_make_onion_soup_without_dairy)
  - [5.2. 2. Which broth is best?](#2_Which_broth_is_best)
  - [5.3. 3. Can I freeze onion soup?](#3_Can_I_freeze_onion_soup)
  - [5.4. 4. How do I keep the onion from burning?](#4_How_do_I_keep_the_onion_from_burning)
  - [5.5. 5. What other cheeses melt well on top?](#5_What_other_cheeses_melt_well_on_top)
- [6. Benefits of Onion](#Benefits_of_Onion)
- [7. Did You Know?](#Did_You_Know)
- [8. Recommended](#Recommended)

## How to Make Onion Soup?

Use vegetable, chicken, or beef broth and Parmesan, mantecoso, or even blue cheese, with a touch of ají de color or merkén for the final Chilean touch. Cook the onion slowly so it browns without burning.

## Nutritional Information

Each serving of onion soup contains approximately 300 kcal, 35 g of carbohydrates, 15 g of fat, 8 g of protein, 4 g of fiber, 4 g of sugars, 20 mg of cholesterol, and 800 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

## Chilean Style Onion Soup Recipe

**Preparation:** 20 minutes
**Cooking:** 40 minutes
**Servings:** 2

### Ingredients

- 2 medium onions
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 liter (4 cups) of vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon of flour
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 marraqueta (Chilean crusty roll)
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- ¼ green bell pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped chives
- Olive oil
- Fine salt
- Black pepper

### Instructions

1. Peel the onion and cut it into thin strips, dice the green pepper, and mince the garlic. In a medium pot, melt the butter with a splash of olive oil, raise the heat, and sauté the onion, pepper, and garlic for about 5 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon.

![Thinly sliced onion for Chilean onion soup](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sliced-onion-onion-soup.jpg)*Sliced Onion*

1. Add the paprika, salt, and pepper to taste, stir, lower the heat, and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring now and then so the onion does not stick, until lightly colored. Add the flour, stir, and cook 5 more minutes.

![Vegetable broth for onion soup](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/vegetable-broth-onion-soup.jpg)*Vegetable Broth*

1. Add the vegetable broth (or chicken or beef), bring to a boil, lower to the minimum, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Open and split the marraqueta and cover it with grated Parmesan.

![Grated Parmesan for onion soup cheese toast](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/grated-parmesan-onion-soup-toast.jpg)*Grated Parmesan*

1. Broil the bread until the cheese melts. Serve the soup piping hot in a deep bowl, topped with the cheese toast and sprinkled with chopped chives.

## Additional Tips

### Deglaze with wine

Before adding the broth, pour in a splash of white wine and let the alcohol cook off for deeper flavor.

### Day old bread

Stale bread holds up better under the broiler and does not fall apart in the hot soup.

### Thermomix method

Chop the onions and garlic 10 seconds at speed 5 and set aside. Heat the butter and oil 3 minutes at Varoma, speed 1, add the onion and garlic, and cook 15 minutes at Varoma, speed 1, until golden. Add the flour and ají de color or merkén, mix a few seconds at speed 2, pour in the hot broth, and cook 15 minutes at 100°C, speed 2. Season to taste.

### Low and slow

Keep the heat low and stir often; add a little water if the onion starts to stick.

| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Vegetable broth | Beef broth | 1 liter | More intense |
| Parmesan | Gruyère | To taste | Classic French |
| Paprika | Merkén | 1 tsp | Smoky, spicy |
| Marraqueta | Baguette | 2 slices | Same result |

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. Can I make onion soup without dairy?

Yes, leave out the cheese or use a plant based cheese that melts, and use oil instead of butter for a vegan version.

### 2. Which broth is best?

Chicken broth adds body, beef a more intense flavor, and vegetable broth is ideal for a light or vegetarian version.

### 3. Can I freeze onion soup?

Yes, without the bread or cheese, in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

### 4. How do I keep the onion from burning?

Keep the heat low and stir often; if needed, add a little water so it does not stick.

### 5. What other cheeses melt well on top?

Gruyère, mozzarella, or even blue cheese for a stronger flavor.

## Benefits of Onion

Onion is rich in antioxidants and anti inflammatory compounds, and it contains prebiotics that feed beneficial gut bacteria and aid digestion.

## Did You Know?

The oldest recorded onion soup recipe appears in Le Viandier, a 14th century French cookbook preserved at the National Library of France.

## Recommended

- [Homemade Vegetable Broth Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-vegetable-broth-caldo-de-verduras-recipe/)
- [Marraqueta Bread Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/marraqueta-bread-recipe/)
- [Chilean Chicken Consommé Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-chicken-consomme-consome-de-pollo-recipe/)
- [Chilean Vegetable Soup Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-vegetable-soup-sopa-de-verduras-recipe/)