25+ Delicious French Soup Recipes

Do you love French cuisine? If so, then you know that it is a delightful combination of savory flavors and comforting textures. What better way to enjoy the divine delicacies of French cooking than with French soups?

I have rounded up more than 25 delicious French soup recipes – all featuring classic ingredients like onions, garlic, cream, and white wine. Whether you're looking for something hearty or light and refreshing, there's surely something here for everyone!

There is no soup season in France. La soupe (soup in French) is an integral part of French culture, enjoyed by people all over the country and from every economic spectrum, from the humblest potage aux légumes (vegetable soups) that are a staple of many farming families to more complex soups with a wide depth of flavor found in gastronomic restaurants.

So grab your favorite stockpot, large Dutch oven, food processor, and these tasty French soups, and let's get started – these mouthwatering dishes are guaranteed to win over any crowd!

This list includes stews with beef, escargot, seafood, vegetables, and more. Whatever your favorite flavors are, you will surely find something here to indulge in. 

A Quick List of Classic French Soups

Before we get to the recipes, here is a quick reference list of the classic French soups worth knowing by name. If you have ever wondered what the famous French soups actually are, this is your cheat sheet, and you will find full recipes for many of them further down.

• Soupe à l’oignon: French onion soup, caramelized onions in beef broth under a cap of melted cheese and toasted bread.
• Bouillabaisse: the famous Provençal fish stew from Marseille, made with mixed fish and shellfish, and saffron.
• Vichyssoise: a chilled soup of leeks and potatoes, finished with cream.
• Potage Parmentier: the hot cousin of vichyssoise, a comforting potato and leek soup.
• Bisque: a smooth, rich, creamy soup built on shellfish such as lobster, crab, or shrimp.
• Potage Saint-Germain: a velvety split-pea soup, one of the classic French potages.
• Velouté: a whole family of smooth soups thickened with egg yolks, butter, and cream. The word means velvety.
• Creme Dubarry: a silky cauliflower cream soup named for a mistress of Louis XV.
• Potage Crécy: a simple carrot soup from the town of Crécy, thickened with rice.
• Soupe au pistou: a summer vegetable and bean soup from Provence, finished with a basil-and-garlic pistou.
• Garbure: a hearty cabbage, bean, and vegetable soup from southwest France, often with duck confit or ham.
• Soupe au cresson: a peppery watercress soup, light and refreshing.

How French Soups Are Classified

If you want to sound like you trained in a French kitchen, it helps to know that French soups fall into two broad families. Clear soups are the light ones: bouillon (a simple broth) and consommé (a clarified, refined broth). Thick soups are grouped by what thickens them: a puree is thickened with its own starchy vegetables; a bisque is thickened with cream and pureed shellfish; a cream soup is thickened with a béchamel base; and a velouté is thickened with egg yolks, butter, and cream. Almost every soup on this list is a delicious variation on one of those ideas.

French Soup Recipes With Meat

Are you hungry for something French and comforting? Look no further than these delicious French soup recipes, featuring a variety of meat options that will make your mouth water. Each of these soups is flavorful and creamy without being overly heavy. Invite some friends over, and whip up one (or all!) of the following recipes for dinner tonight – you won't regret it!

Champagne Escargot

Champagne escargot is a unique French soup. A creamy soup with rich flavor, seriously, you should give it a shot. Simmer and soften the mushrooms in champagne without reducing it all the way. 

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon comes from the Burgundy area of France. It’s a stew originally made with beef braised in red wine and root vegetables. It is considered a “peasant dish.” The wine tenderizes the meat and adds flavor. This slow cooker version means you can set it and forget it!

Coq Au Vin

What is Coq Au Vin? The French translation means “rooster in wine” because the original recipe is traditionally made with rooster meat. These days, it is made with chicken! It is very often served as a main dish.

Winter Veal Stew

Warm up this winter with the French soup recipe for winter veal stew. It’s ready in 30 minutes, and everyone will adore the flavors and rich broth. It’s perfect for a special occasion like Christmas dinner. 

Vegetable Soups

These soups are packed with bright, vibrant vegetables and taste both comforting and complex. Serve them up with fresh bread or even a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra special meal!

Whether you serve it as an appetizer or a main course, a bowl of homemade French vegetable soup is sure to impress everyone at your table!

French Pumpkin Soup

You can find French pumpkin soup (soupe à la citrouille) everywhere in the fall. This soup has been in the French repertoire for a very long time. It originated in France, and the French were the first to serve the soup inside a pumpkin as a novelty during the time of Louis the 14th. It is delicious and warm on cool autumn nights!

It is also a simple recipe with a thick texture that goes well with toasted bread. The delicious, sweet flavor of the pumpkin makes this one of the best French soups, in my opinion!

French Chestnut Soup

Creamy chestnut soup (velouté de châtaignes or soupe aux marrons) is a favorite traditional winter soup. It comes from Southwestern France, where there are many fresh chestnuts. It takes less than 30 minutes to make, and it is so good!

A velouté soup is a class of French soups made with chicken, veal, or fish stock and cream, thickened with butter and flour. The word itself translates to velvety. Or, when it comes to soup, creamy thanks to the thickening. No matter how you define it – delicious!

Soupe au Pistou

Soupe au Pistou is one of those French summer soup recipes that few people have heard of. It is a hearty yet light bean soup from the Provence region and is one of the few soups I am aware of that includes green beans (except maybe some ratatouille recipes I have seen). Most people keep it vegetarian, but others add a ham hock for saltiness.

Seafood Stews

Do you love the rich flavors of French cuisine but prefer something a bit fancier? Then you must try one of these delicious French seafood stews! Here, I feature classic French soup recipes that combine the best elements of hearty home cooking with delicate, flavorful French ingredients.

Whether you are looking for light and savory or richly indulgent, there is surely a recipe here perfect for your appetite. So get out your pots and pans and let's get cooking!

Easy Bouillabaisse

This French soup recipe originated in port towns such as Marseille in the South of France. Fishermen would use up some of their seafood catches, such as white fish and shellfish. Make the fish stock from scratch for an extra delicious stew. 

Bourride Monkfish Stew

Bourride is a French fish stew similar to bouillabaisse. However, it is thickened with egg yolks (not egg whites), which gives it a creamy texture, and it is strongly flavored with garlic.

This seafood stew is delicious, featuring monkfish and other ingredients. For example, for the aioli, you will need garlic, egg yolks, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and extra virgin olive oil. Key ingredients for the stew include fennel bulb, onion, leeks, tomatoes, and potatoes. 

Despite the rule against cheese with fish, this soup pairs well with cheese toasts!

French Cioppino

One of my absolute favorite soup recipes, I used to eat this in San Francisco all the time! French cioppino is ready in 25 minutes. You will need a fennel bulb, bell peppers, onion, clam juice, chicken broth (or chicken stock), shrimp, tomatoes, and spinach. 

Seafood Bisque

Bisques are thicker soups with a creamy texture and rich flavor. They are traditionally made from crustaceans. Lobster bisque and shrimp bisque are 2 popular varieties of this French-style soup.

For this seafood bisque, the ingredients include mussels, water, salt, shrimp, bay leaves, celery, peppercorns, thyme, and scallops. You will also need ghee, arrowroot, garlic, lobster mushrooms, potatoes, and crab. 

La Cotriade

A classic Breton dish, la Cotriade is a fish and potato soup, and every family in the Brittany region has its own recipe! This part of France is coastal and has an abundance of seafood.

Spicy French Fish Soup Recipe

This delicious soup goes by 2 names: soupe de poissons Dieppoise and Marmite Dieppoise. It is a fish stew from Dieppe in Northern Brittany, and it is spicy, a very rare thing in French cuisine! The spice comes from cayenne pepper. But French spicy is only light or medium heat, not like spicy in other cultures!

French Onion Soups

French onion soup makes a perfect meal or a warm and comforting starter. It is a very heartwarming soup. It's amazingly simple to make and is sure to satisfy any cravings. As a bonus, who doesn't love golden brown baguette slices and thick slices of melted cheese floating on top?

With just a few ingredients and a little time, you can have yourself a steaming-hot bowl of classic French onion soup.

Learn more about the history of French onion soup, where to find the best French onion soup in Paris, and traditional recipes and variations in my article: French Onion Soup: Paris’s Ultimate Hangover Cure and Comfort Food.

Easy French Onion Soup Recipe

Think learning how to make French onion soup is hard? Think again! This easy French onion stew is ready in 1 hour and 30 minutes. You will need thinly sliced onions, butter, sugar, garlic, salt, pepper, white wine, tomato paste, beef broth or beef stock, and other items to make this homemade French onion soup with caramelized onions and melty cheese. 

Bistro French Onion

Bistro-style French onion soup uses simple ingredients that combine for a scrumptious bowl of soup. It is a great make-ahead soup. You can make the broth ahead of time, and it tastes even better the next day. Key ingredients include yellow onions, Worcestershire sauce, dry white wine, and fresh thyme. 

Instant Pot French Onion Soup

Bust out your Instant Pot and some classic pantry staples for this French onion recipe. It’s ready in 30 minutes, and your pressure cooker helps to retain flavor longer. This dish is an impressive, even romantic, idea for dinner. 

Gluten-Free French Onion Soup

Whip up some gluten-free French onion with some Franz gluten-free bread or a brand of your choice. All you need to do is dry out some slices. It’s the best soup for Sunday night or any day of the week. 

French Onion Soup Gratinée

French onion gratinée is elegant yet simple with minimal ingredients. Caramelizing the onions to perfection is key to a delicious base. Serve it up for a simple family meal that everyone will adore. I believe it is a kid-friendly recipe that, with enough cheese, even young kids will like. 

French Onion Meatball Soup

French onion meatball soup calls for 2 pounds of ground meat to make lots of meatballs. You may need to cook them in 2 batches to have enough. It will be worth it in the end, though! 

Vegetarian Soup Recipes

Making soup is an easy yet rewarding way to get a delicious and nutritious meal on the table any day of the week. And if you're a vegetarian, there are plenty of French-inspired recipes that will make your taste buds sing! These flavorful and filling veggie soups will comfort even the pickiest eater with an array of flavors they won't soon forget.

Vichyssoise Potato Soup

What is vichyssoise? Besides Julia Child‘s favorite (le chef de chefs in my book!). It is a traditional French summer soup made with leeks and potatoes. Oh, and it's cold! There aren't that many cold French soups, but this is a good one!

The soup is thinned with sour cream or heavy cream. This dish is heavenly for the whole family and anyone who loves creamy soups, especially on a hot day!

Creamy Potato and Leek Soup

The difference between this soup, Parmentier soup (potage parmentier), and Vichyssoise is that this French country soup is eaten hot. If you like it a bit heartier, you can always add bacon bits or shredded chicken. The leeks are very tasty, with a profile similar to that of onions, garlic, and shallots.

Potage Crécy

Potage Crecy is a French carrot soup that originated in Crecy, a town near Paris, known for its beautiful carrots. This soup is thickened with rice. It is simple and comforting.

Dubarry Cauliflower Cream

Why is it called Crème Dubarry? This French soup recipe is also known as Velouté du Barry. It originated as a creation for Madame du Barry, King Louis XV’s favorite mistress, who loved cauliflower.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a classic French soup recipe that uses eggplant. It is mostly eaten in the summer and is very healthy! This recipe recommends using a deep purple eggplant with shiny skin and no blemishes. The zucchinis should also be dark green with a bright yellow center for optimal results. 

Vegan French Stews

Are you looking for a delicious and easy vegan meal that brings all the comforts of French cuisine straight to your dinner table? Try making one of these vegan French soups! Each recipe is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients, sure to satisfy both vegans and meat lovers. Let me show you just how comforting vegan fare can be on any occasion!

Potato Leek Soup

Potato Leek French soup is a mouthwatering vegan recipe that will fill you up. Use Yukon Gold because they work best. Other key ingredients include leeks, white beans, garlic, and seasoning. 

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

This instant pot lentil soup is rich, hearty, and packed with flavor. It’s also healthy, nutritious, vegan, and gluten-free. You will love the quick, simple cooking method that yields a great option for meal prep.

Puy Lentil Soup

Puy lentils are a wholesome starter, making 8 portions. It tastes amazing with a simple baguette with butter. Puy lentils are unique: small green legumes with a superior flavor! French lentil soup is a classic! Simple food at its best!

French Pistou Soup

This French pistou soup (soupe au pistou) recipe with an amazing provençal chilled sauce is similar to pesto (but without the pine nuts), using garlic, fresh basil, and olive oil. Other ingredients include chopped veggies, beans, and pasta noodles. 

Soupe Au Cresson

Soupe au cresson is a French watercress soup that everyone adores (it is my 2nd favorite soup!) because it’s so refreshing and hearty. If you’ve never had watercress and are wondering what it tastes like, it has fine leaves with a spicy, peppery flavor and hints of mustard.

Soupe de Légumes

Make soupe de légumes with good, fresh ingredients for the best results. This clear soup is vibrant and delicious with vegetables, vegan butter, vegetable broth, and more. Don’t chop your vegetables too far in advance for the freshest results. 

Frequently Asked Questions about French soup

Bring a little of France into your kitchen

Now you’re ready to indulge in the best homemade French cuisine in the comfort of your own home! You’ll feel like you’re in Paris with these delicious soup recipes. 

French soups are a delicious, savory way to explore French cuisine. While there is no right way to make French soup, the recipes included here cover a variety of bases, ranging from traditional favorites to vegan and vegetarian options. Healthy recipes that demonstrate the country's love for bold flavors, hearty meals, and delicate ingredients.

Whichever recipe you choose, these delicious soups offer distinct flavors unmatched by those of other cuisines. Take some time to explore these delicious French recipes this season – I'm sure you won't regret it! Good food always makes people happy; it is perfect for a dinner party.

And don't forget the French bread! Bon appetit!

How about you? Which of these will be your favorite soup?

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