Rustic Country French Garlic Soup with Cream and Fresh Herbs Recipe

Introduction

This Rustic Country French Garlic Soup is a creamy, comforting dish perfect for chilly days or when you need an immune boost. Roasted garlic and fresh thyme create a rich, aromatic flavor that warms you from the inside out.

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 your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs, drizzle them 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 onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into the pot. Add the broth and thyme sprigs, stir well, and bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Let the soup simmer for 15–20 minutes to develop the flavors.
5. Step 5: Remove the thyme sprigs. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or carefully blend in batches using a regular blender.
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 and garnish with fresh herbs or croutons. Serve with warm slices of baguette.

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth of flavor, roast the chopped onions along with the garlic.
• Use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter soup.
• If you don’t have thyme, substitute with rosemary or a bay leaf.
• Add extra broth if you prefer a thinner soup consistency.
• This soup makes a great make-ahead meal as the flavors deepen beautifully overnight.

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. You can also freeze the soup for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use garlic powder instead of roasted garlic?

While garlic powder can work in a pinch, roasted garlic provides a sweeter, milder flavor that’s central to this soup’s character. For best results, use fresh roasted garlic as directed.

Is this soup suitable for vegans?

To make the soup vegan, use vegetable broth and substitute the heavy cream with a plant-based cream or coconut milk. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Rustic Country French Garlic Soup with Cream and Fresh Herbs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 110 reviews

Rustic Country French Garlic Soup is a creamy and comforting bowl of immune-boosting warmth with roasted garlic, aromatic onions, and fresh herbs blended into a smooth, velvety broth. Perfect served with crusty bread and garnished with fresh herbs or croutons, this soup offers rich flavor and soothing nourishment.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Roasting and Stovetop
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main 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

For Garnish

• Fresh herbs or croutons

Instructions

1. Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs, drizzle them with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30 minutes until the cloves are golden and soft.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: 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 become translucent and fragrant, developing a sweet aroma.
3. Add Broth and Herbs: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins directly into the pot. Add the vegetable or chicken broth along with the fresh thyme sprigs. Stir gently and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Simmer: Allow the soup to simmer for 15–20 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and develop fully.
5. Blend: Remove thyme sprigs from the pot. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, blend in batches with a regular blender to achieve the same texture.
6. Add Cream & Season: Return the pureed soup to the pot, stir in the heavy cream, and season with salt and black pepper to taste for a rich, velvety finish.
7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh herbs or crunchy croutons, and serve alongside warm slices of baguette for a rustic, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Roast onions along with garlic for an extra caramelized depth of flavor.
• For a lighter soup, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk.
• If thyme isn’t available, rosemary or bay leaf can be used as alternatives.
• Adjust the soup’s thickness by adding more broth for a thinner consistency.
• This soup makes a perfect make-ahead dish; flavors deepen and meld beautifully overnight.

Keywords: Garlic soup, French soup, creamy soup, roasted garlic, comfort food, immune-boosting soup, rustic soup, homemade soup