When you eat Trader Joe’s French onion soup, you’ll feel like you’re being hugged from the inside. This soup has a rich onion taste, but it’s also quick and easy to make.
Trader Joe’s is an American chain of grocery stores that opened in 1967. Because their products are both tasty and high-value, they don’t need to rely on loyalty programs, coupons, or sales.
They focus on unique packaged foods and cuisines from around the world. And one of the brands they stock, in addition to their in-house brand, is Cuisine Adventures.
And best of all, this soup tastes homemade because Cuisine Adventures makes it with slowly simmered fresh onions. Then, you top it with Swiss cheese and croutons for an authentic French onion soup experience.
I love pairing this soup with a sandwich for lunch or steak for dinner. Or just a simple glass of wine!
Even if you’re feeling chilly, this soup is guaranteed to warm you up.
Tips for Making the Best Trader Joe’s French Onion Soup
Use a Conventional Oven
I prefer to make this soup in a conventional oven because the cheese stays on top and browns nicely. Or, I’ll use the quick oven method if I’m a bit rushed.
You can also use the microwave to really speed up the process. However, the cheese will dissolve into the soup.
Or, if you have a toaster oven that can accommodate a soup bowl, you can use that to melt the cheese as well.
Add Some Spice!
Make this soup your own with a few dashes from your spice cabinet. For example, I love to add some extra thyme.
I also find this works best when I make this frozen soup using the quicker oven method. This way, I simply add the spices after I’ve thawed the soup block in the microwave.
Make it Cheesy
Don’t skimp on the cheese! I think gooey melted cheese on top makes good French onion soup even better.
While I love Swiss, you can use any cheese that melts well. If you do, you can even add it just before eating because the hot broth will melt it.
All About Trader Joe’s French Onion Soup Ingredients
Onions
Trader Joe markets and Cuisine Adventures know how to cook their onions! The vegetable soup base is full of flavor.
Also, cooking the onions slowly helps them caramelize, so the broth is savory, rich, and just a little sweet. It’s never bitter!
Swiss Cheese
The typical Swiss cheese on French onion soup is Gruyere. The nuttiness of this type of cheese pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the onions.
However, any type of Swiss cheese is a good option because it melts easily. But, you can also leave the cheese off if you’re lactose intolerant or simply want a healthier soup.
Croutons
While you usually see croutons on top of salad, they’re also an important part of French onion soup! Traditionally, cooks serve bowls of soup with pieces of toast and browned cheese on top.
I love the texture of the croutons and how they taste when they absorb the vegetarian or beef broth of French onion soup.
Trader Joe’s Cuisine Adventures French Onion Soup Recipe
- Prep Time5 min
- Cook Time40 min
- Total Time10-45 min
- Servings2
- Yield2
Level: Easy
Quick oven method: 23 min
Microwave oven: 5 min
Conventional oven: 40 min
Ingredients
Material
Method
- Conventional Oven
First, set your oven to 400 degrees F and allow it to preheat. Then, put 1 frozen Trader Joe’s French onion soup block into an oven-safe bowl.
Next, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top, and place the bowl in the oven.
Cook the soup for about 40 minutes, or until the cheese on top turns golden brown. Finally, follow the same steps for the second soup.
- Microwave Oven
First, place 1 Trader Joe’s soup in a microwave-safe bowl and sprinkle the cheese on top. Then, cook the soup for 3 minutes on high power.
Next, stir the soup and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes. Finally, repeat these steps with the second soup.
- Quick Oven Method
First, set your oven to 400 degrees F and allow it to preheat. Then, put one soup in a bowl that is safe for both the oven and microwave.
Next, cook the soup in the microwave for 3 minutes on high. When it’s done, stir it and then sprinkle the cheese on top.
Now, place the bowl in the oven, and cook it for about 20 minutes. At this point, the cheese should be golden brown and bubbly.
Finally, follow these same steps for the second Trader Joe’s soup.
What to Serve With Trader Joe’s French Onion Soup
New York Strip Steak
Since both steak and Trader Joe’s French onion soup are rich and savory, they complement each other well. The two together make a filling meal for when you’re really hungry!
BLT Sandwich
Soup and a sandwich is a classic combination. And French onion soup with a BLT won’t let you down!
If you toast the bread on the sandwich, you’ll get a delicious combination of textures. And a spoonful of soup after a bite of sandwich will help you swallow down all that delicious bacon!
French Bread
While Trader Joe’s French onion soup already comes with croutons, I can never get enough bread! A toasted baguette is the perfect accompaniment to this soup because you can dip it as you eat.
Restaurants often serve a side of French bread with this type of soup because the textures balance each other nicely.
Wine
Pamper yourself with a nice glass of wine to accompany your soup! For example, I love a dry white wine or a fruity red one with this particular dish.
The wine helps cut some of the richness of the soup. And the soup makes the wine go down smoothly.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
If you have leftovers, they’ll last for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. But make sure you put them in an airtight container.
Also, check the expiration date on the soup package when you buy it. Usually, soups like this last for 2-3 months after the purchase date; longer than that, you run the risk of the soup having very little flavor.
When you want to enjoy your soup again, simply put it back into a microwaveable bowl. Then, cook it for 30 seconds on high.
Stir the soup, and return it to the microwave for another 20 to 30 seconds. Enjoy!
Nutrition Tips
Pre-packaged soups are full of sodium, and too much can be detrimental to your health. However, frozen soups tend to have less sodium than canned ones.
As well, canned soups have preservatives to make them shelf stable. But freezing prevents bacteria from growing, so frozen soup doesn’t need as much added salt or chemicals.
Also, Trader Joe’s French onion soup has a vegetarian base. This is perfect for anyone following this type of diet.
While this packaged Trader Joe’s soup makes an easy meal, it is still healthier to make French onion soup from scratch. That way, you’ll preserve all of the nutrients without added salt. – Kirsten Mae Magbanua, RND
- 246Calories
- 12.9gFat
- 17.4gCarbs
- 15.8gProtein
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 246 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat12.9g | 17% |
Saturated Fat7.2g | 36% |
Cholesterol36mg | 12% |
Sodium823mg | 36% |
Total Carbohydrate17.4g | 6% |
Dietary Fiber2g | 7% |
Total Sugars1.1g | |
Protein15.8g | |
Vitamin C3mcg | 15% |
Calcium353mg | 27% |
Iron1mg | 4% |
Potassium5mg | 0% |