Rustic Country French Garlic Soup Recipe

Introduction

Rustic Country French Garlic Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that highlights roasted garlic and fresh herbs. This creamy, smooth soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread, making it a perfect meal for chilly days or anytime you crave something warm and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 10 garlic cloves (about 50 g), whole and unpeeled
• 1 large yellow onion (about 150 g), chopped
• 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 1 small baguette or 4 slices crusty bread (about 150 g), for serving
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs or croutons, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30 minutes until the garlic is golden and soft.
2. Step 2: In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for 5–7 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into the pot. Add the broth and thyme sprigs, then stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Let the soup simmer for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to deepen.
5. Step 5: Remove the thyme sprigs. Puree the soup using an immersion blender, or in batches using a standard blender, until smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Return the soup to the pot, stir in the heavy cream, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. Step 7: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh herbs or croutons, and serve alongside warm slices of baguette.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer garlic flavor, roast extra cloves or add a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky note.
• Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version or chicken broth for a heartier taste.
• Swap heavy cream for coconut cream to make it dairy-free and add a hint of sweetness.
• Top with grated Parmesan or Gruyère for a cheesy twist.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat to prevent curdling. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-peeled garlic for this recipe?

Fresh whole garlic cloves are best for roasting as the skins help protect the garlic and mellow the flavor. Pre-peeled garlic can burn easily in the oven, so it’s best to roast whole bulbs with the skins on.

What can I use if I don’t have an immersion blender?

You can blend the soup in batches using a regular countertop blender. Be sure to let the soup cool slightly and blend in small batches to avoid spills and burns. Return the blended soup to the pot to finish cooking.

Rustic Country French Garlic Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 150 reviews

This Rustic Country French Garlic Soup is a warm, creamy, and fragrant soup featuring roasted garlic and fresh thyme. Perfect as a comforting starter or light meal, the soup is blended smooth and enriched with heavy cream, served alongside crusty baguette slices and garnished with herbs or croutons.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soup

• 10 garlic cloves (about 50 g), whole and unpeeled
• 1 large yellow onion (about 150 g), chopped
• 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Serving

• 1 small baguette or 4 slices crusty bread (about 150 g), for serving
• Fresh herbs or croutons, for garnish

Instructions

1. Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs to expose the cloves, drizzle them with olive oil, wrap tightly in foil, and roast for about 30 minutes until the garlic is golden and soft to the touch.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for 5–7 minutes until they become translucent and release a fragrant aroma.
3. Add Broth and Herbs: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins directly into the pot with the onions. Add the vegetable or chicken broth and the fresh thyme sprigs. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Simmer: Allow the soup to simmer gently for 15–20 minutes to let the flavors meld and develop fully.
5. Blend: Remove the thyme sprigs from the soup. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender and blend carefully until silky.
6. Add Cream & Season: Return the pureed soup to the pot, stir in the heavy cream to enrich the soup, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
7. Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs or croutons. Serve with warm slices of baguette or crusty bread for dipping and enjoying alongside.

Notes

• For a vegan version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream and use vegetable broth.
• Roasting the garlic mellows its flavor and adds a rich depth to the soup.
• If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half the soup and mix with the remaining unblended portion.
• Fresh thyme enhances the aromatic profile, but dried thyme works well if fresh is unavailable.
• This soup keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: Garlic soup, French soup, creamy garlic soup, roasted garlic, rustic soup, thyme soup, comforting soup