Onion Roasted Garlic Bisque

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 60 mins
Rest Time 5 mins
Total Time 1 hr 25 mins
Cooking Method: ,
Cuisine: ,
Courses: , ,
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cooking Temp: 200  C
Servings: 4
Best Season: Fall, Winter
Description

This Onion Roasted Garlic Bisque is a rich, velvety, and deeply flavorful soup made with slow-caramelized onions and sweet roasted garlic blended into a creamy, comforting base. Perfect for chilly evenings, elegant starters, or cozy family dinners, this bisque delivers restaurant-quality flavor using simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients
    For the Roasted Garlic
  • 1 whole garlic head (top trimmed to expose cloves)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • For the Onion Base
  • 4 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp sugar (optional, helps caramelization)
    • For the Bisque
  • 3 cup vegetable broth (warm)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg (optional)
    • For Garnish (Optional)
  • Fresh parsley (chopped)
  • Croutons
  • A drizzle of cream
  • Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
    Roast the Garlic
  1. 1
    Preheat your oven to 200°C. Slice the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves. Drizzle olive oil over the exposed cloves and wrap the garlic in foil. Roast for 35–40 minutes until the cloves become soft, golden, and fragrant. Remove from oven and allow it to cool slightly. Squeeze the softened garlic out of the skins and set aside.
    2. Caramelize the Onions
  2. 2
    In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and salt. Cook slowly, stirring frequently. After about 10 minutes, lower the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 25–30 minutes.
  3. 3
    The onions should become soft, deeply golden, and caramelized. Add sugar if needed to enhance browning. Stir often to prevent burning.
    4. Build the Flavor Base
  4. 4
    Add the roasted garlic cloves to the caramelized onions and stir well. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
  5. 5
    Add thyme, bay leaf, black pepper, and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly so the spices bloom in the warm mixture.
    6. Add the Broth and Simmer
  6. 6
    Gradually pour in the warm vegetable broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  7. 7
    Reduce heat and let it cook uncovered for 15 minutes so the flavors fully develop. Remove the bay leaf before blending.
    8. Blend Until Smooth
  8. 8
    Using an immersion blender, carefully blend the soup until smooth and creamy. If using a regular blender, blend in batches and allow steam to escape safely.
  9. 9
    The texture should be silky and thick.
    10. Add Cream and Finish
  10. 10
    Return the blended soup to low heat. Stir in milk and heavy cream. Simmer gently for 5 minutes without boiling. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  11. 11
    Let the bisque rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
    12. Serve
  12. 12
    Ladle into warm bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley, croutons, a swirl of cream, and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve hot with toasted bread.
Note
  • For Extra Depth: Add 1 tbsp cream cheese for a richer texture.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Replace butter with olive oil and use coconut milk instead of cream.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
  • Texture Adjustment: If too thick, add warm broth. If too thin, simmer longer to reduce.
  • Protein Boost: Add white beans before blending for added nutrition.
Keywords: creamy, comforting, budget-friendly, vegetarian, cozy
Read it online: https://petitepanini.com/recipe/onion-roasted-garlic-bisque/