Name: Rustic Country French Garlic Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: French
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); Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 small baguette or 4 slices crusty bread (about 150 g), for serving; Fresh herbs or croutons, for garnish

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Introduction

Rustic Country French Garlic Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that highlights the mellow sweetness of roasted garlic. This creamy, aromatic soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread for a simple yet satisfying meal perfect for any season.

A white bowl filled with creamy soup that has a thick, smooth texture and pale yellow color. On top, there are ten golden-brown seared scallops arranged in a scattered pattern, each scallop showing charred grill marks and slight crisp edges. Small green herb leaves, possibly thyme, are sprinkled over the scallops and soup, adding fresh green spots. At the edge of the bowl, a piece of crusty white bread leans against the soup. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs, drizzle with olive oil, wrap them in foil, and roast for 30 minutes until golden and soft.
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 they are translucent and fragrant.
Step 3: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into the pot. Add the broth and thyme sprigs, stir gently, and bring to a simmer.
Step 4: Let the soup simmer for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to develop fully.
Step 5: Remove the thyme sprigs. Puree the soup using an immersion blender or work in batches with a regular blender until smooth.
Step 6: Return the pureed soup to the pot, stir in the heavy cream, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 7: Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh herbs or croutons and serve alongside slices of warm baguette.

Tips & Variations

For a dairy-free version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative.
Adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of white wine can deepen the flavor profile.
Use day-old crusty bread to make homemade croutons for an added crunchy texture.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. This soup can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with creamy soup that has browned, grilled scallops on top, each scallop with golden char marks and a slightly crispy texture. The soup is smooth and pale yellow with small green herb leaves sprinkled on it, adding fresh color. In the background, there is a slice of light brown crusty bread partially visible. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, providing a clean and bright background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh garlic instead of roasting it?

While fresh garlic can be used, roasting mellows its sharpness and adds a rich, sweet depth of flavor that defines this soup. Using raw garlic will result in a more pungent taste.

Is this soup suitable for vegans?

This recipe includes heavy cream, making it unsuitable for vegans as is. However, you can substitute the cream with coconut milk or another plant-based alternative to make it vegan-friendly.