Name: Rustic French Garlic Soup with Creamy Flavor Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
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); 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

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

This Rustic Country French Garlic Soup is a creamy and comforting bowl that also boosts your immune system. Roasted garlic and fresh thyme create a rich, flavorful base perfect for cozy evenings. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete meal.

This dish shows a white bowl filled with creamy soup as the bottom layer, which is light beige and smooth in texture. Scattered on top are golden-brown seared scallops with a slightly crispy surface and some black pepper specks. Small pieces of green herbs are spread evenly over the scallops and soup, adding freshness. A slice of crusty light-brown bread rests on the rim of the bowl. 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 your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tops off the garlic bulbs, drizzle them with olive oil, wrap them in foil, and roast for 30 minutes until soft and golden.
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.
Step 3: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into the pot. Add the broth and thyme sprigs. Stir the mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer.
Step 4: Let the soup simmer for 15–20 minutes to develop the flavors fully.
Step 5: Remove the thyme sprigs. Puree the soup using an immersion blender or blend in batches in 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 and garnish with fresh herbs or croutons. Serve warm with slices of crusty baguette.

Tips & Variations

Roast the onion along with the garlic for a deeper caramelized flavor.
For a lighter soup, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk.
If thyme isn’t available, try rosemary or a bay leaf for a different herbal note.
To adjust the soup’s thickness, add more broth for a thinner consistency.
This soup makes a perfect make-ahead meal, as the flavors intensify 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 to prevent scorching. You can also freeze the soup for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with creamy white chowder that has visible small chunks inside; on top, there are multiple golden brown, seared scallops with a slightly crispy texture and sprinkled green herbs scattered over the dish. A piece of bread rests on the edge of the bowl. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?

Fresh garlic, especially roasted, gives this soup its rich and mellow flavor. Garlic powder won’t provide the same depth, so it’s best to use fresh garlic cloves.

Is this soup vegetarian?

The soup is vegetarian if you use vegetable broth. Using chicken broth will make it non-vegetarian but still delicious.