If you love warm, comforting soups, Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin Recipe is perfect. This soup is creamy, sweet and lightly caramelized on top. The combination of onions and fennel gives it a unique flavor.
With melted cheese and crunchy croutons on top, it feels like a fancy French dish. Many people ask how to make Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin and this recipe explains every step. The ingredients for this soup are simple, fresh and easy to find.
My Experience With This Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin Recipe
I made Ina Garten’s Onion Fennel Soup Gratin last weekend. The aroma filled the kitchen, and it smelled amazing. The soup was sweet from the onions and slightly aromatic from fennel.
The gratin topping of cheese and bread added a golden, crunchy layer. My family loved it. It felt elegant but was easy to prepare. The recipe is perfect for cold evenings or special dinners.
I loved how simple ingredients created such a fancy-tasting dish. It is now one of my favorite soup recipes.
Recipe Card Info
- Recipe Name: Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 65 mins
- Course: Soup
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Calories: 320 kcal per serving
Equipment List
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet or oven-safe bowls
- Grater for cheese
- Ladle
Ingredients You Need for Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tsp sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup Gruyère or Swiss cheese, grated
- 4 slices crusty bread, toasted
Step-by-Step Guide
- Prepare Vegetables
Slice onions and fennel thinly. Keep slices even so they cook evenly. - Cook Onions and Fennel
Heat butter and olive oil in pot. Add onions, fennel, sugar. Cook slowly until soft. - Deglaze with Wine
Add white wine. Stir and scrape bottom to lift caramelized bits for flavor. - Add Broth and Thyme
Pour in broth. Add thyme, salt and pepper. Simmer for 20–25 minutes. - Preheat Oven
Set oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare bowls or a baking sheet for gratin topping. - Prepare Bread and Cheese
Toast bread slices. Grate cheese and set aside for topping soup. - Assemble Soup for Gratin
Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Place toasted bread on top. Sprinkle grated cheese generously. - Grill or Bake
Place bowls under broiler for 3–5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Watch carefully. - Serve Warm
Carefully remove from oven. Let cool slightly. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Tips to Make the Best Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin
- Cook onions slowly for deep flavor
- Use fresh fennel for natural sweetness
- Don’t skip toasting bread before adding cheese
- Use Gruyère cheese for perfect melt and flavor
- Watch under broiler to avoid burning cheese
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing caramelization of onions
- Using too much salt at start
- Overcooking fennel until mushy
- Leaving soup under broiler too long
- Skipping sugar, which enhances natural sweetness
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Onion Fennel Soup Gratin with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables. It pairs perfectly with crusty baguette slices.
For special occasions, add a small glass of white wine. This soup works as a starter or main course for light dinners. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley for an elegant touch.
Variations You Can Try
- Swap Gruyère with Swiss or Fontina cheese
- Use vegetable broth for vegetarian version
- Add a pinch of nutmeg for warmth
- Mix in caramelized shallots for extra sweetness
- Use sourdough bread for crunchier topping
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftover soup in airtight container in fridge up to 2 days
- Reheat gently on stove over low heat
- Add extra broth if soup thickens during storage
- Assemble bread and cheese just before serving
- Avoid broiling leftovers; cheese may not melt evenly
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
Health Benefits
Onions and fennel are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They support digestion and immunity.
Using broth and moderate cheese keeps the soup lighter than cream-based soups. This dish is satisfying, comforting and nutritious. You can enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.
Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 1 fennel bulb thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tsp sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup Gruyère or Swiss cheese grated
- 4 slices crusty bread toasted
Instructions
Prepare Vegetables
- Slice onions and fennel thinly. Keep slices even so they cook evenly.
Cook Onions and Fennel
- Heat butter and olive oil in pot. Add onions, fennel, sugar. Cook slowly until soft.
Deglaze with Wine
- Add white wine. Stir and scrape bottom to lift caramelized bits for flavor.
Add Broth and Thyme
- Pour in broth. Add thyme, salt and pepper. Simmer for 20–25 minutes.
Preheat Oven
- Set oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare bowls or a baking sheet for gratin topping.
Prepare Bread and Cheese
- Toast bread slices. Grate cheese and set aside for topping soup.
Assemble Soup for Gratin
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Place toasted bread on top. Sprinkle grated cheese generously.
Grill or Bake
- Place bowls under broiler for 3–5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Watch carefully.
Serve Warm
- Carefully remove from oven. Let cool slightly. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Cook onions slowly for deep flavor
- Use fresh fennel for natural sweetness
- Don’t skip toasting bread before adding cheese
- Use Gruyère cheese for perfect melt and flavor
- Watch under broiler to avoid burning cheese
FAQs about Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin
Q1: Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The flavor remains rich and delicious.
Q2: Can I prepare the soup ahead of time?
Yes, cook the soup a day before. Add bread and cheese just before broiling.
Q3: What cheese works best?
Gruyère is ideal for flavor and melting. Swiss or Fontina also work well.
Q4: Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, freeze soup without bread and cheese. Reheat gently and add topping fresh.
Final Thoughts
Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin recipe is elegant, comforting and easy to make. It’s perfect for cold days or dinner parties. The sweet onions, tender fennel and golden cheese create a perfect balance.
Following step-by-step instructions ensures success. Try this recipe today and enjoy a warm, flavorful soup at home.
Now you know how to make Ina Garten Onion Fennel Soup Gratin with simple ingredients and easy steps.
Hi, I’m Emily Grace! I love cooking simple, tasty food that brings people together. On Bite Dive, I share easy recipes, fun food tips, and ideas to make every meal special. My kitchen is my happy place, and I’m so excited to share it with you!