Guinness Onion Soup is an Irish-inspired twist on classic French onion soup, made with deeply caramelized onions, dark Guinness beer, and a rich, savory broth.
Guinness Onion Soup: An Irish-Inspired Take on a Classic
Nothing says St. Patrick’s Day more than Guinness… and green! ☘️ While I’m skipping the green in this recipe, the flavor reflects everything I love about an Irish-inspired dish—loaded with stout, cooked low and slow, and a fun way to celebrate. I’ve always loved onion soup—honestly I just love onions in general. And with St. Patty’s time in March, I’m always thinking of ways to cook with Guinness stout beer, so creating Guinness Onion Soup sounded like such a delicious idea. When you’re not using the traditional methods of beef broth or butter, you have to get a little more creative, but after cooking the onions down and letting everything simmer, once you add the Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar the soup gets that depth you’re looking for. Top it with cheese and put it under the broiler and it becomes truly delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and deeply flavorful: Caramelized onions and Guinness create a savory broth that makes every spoonful satisfying.
- Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: A Guinness-based dish is always a fun way to celebrate.
- Meal-prep friendly: The flavors deepen as it sits, making leftovers even better.
- Simple ingredients, big flavor: The magic comes from slowly caramelizing the onions and letting everything simmer together.
Tell Me About Guinness
Guinness is one of Ireland’s most iconic beers and has been brewed in Dublin since 1759. It’s a stout made with roasted barley, which gives it that deep dark color and slightly bitter, malty flavor. Despite how rich it looks, Guinness is actually fairly smooth and balanced, with notes of coffee, cocoa, and toasted grain.
Ingredient Highlight: Caramelized Onions
Caramelized onions are the heart of any onion soup, and taking the time to cook them low and slow is key. As onions cook, their natural sugars slowly break down, creating that deep, sweet, savory flavor that makes onion soup so comforting. The long caramelization process also gives the soup its rich color and depth, turning a simple ingredient into the backbone of the entire dish.
Madly Delicious Must-Know Tips and Questions
- Cook the onions low and slow. This step takes time, but it’s what builds the rich base of the soup.
- Don’t rush the Guinness step. Let it simmer so the alcohol cooks off and the flavors concentrate.
- Serve with a good bread and cheese. The broiled topping is what makes onion soup so satisfying.
How do I know when the onions are properly caramelized?
They should be soft, deeply golden brown, and slightly jammy with a sweet aroma.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, making leftovers even better the next day.
Can I add a bread layer for topping?
Yes, a sturdy crusty bread works best so it holds up under the melted cheese without getting soggy.
Can I store leftovers?
Yes! Store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors only get better over time!
Let’s Dish About Onion Soup: Did You Know?
While onion soup is most famously associated with French cuisine, versions of onion-based broths have been enjoyed across Europe for centuries. The classic French onion soup dates back to at least the 18th century and was traditionally made with beef broth and topped with bread and melted cheese. This version takes inspiration from that classic but gives it an Irish twist by using Guinness stout. The roasted malt flavors of the beer add depth and richness that pair beautifully with the sweetness of slow-caramelized onions, making this soup feel both familiar and a little unexpected.
Ready to bring a little Irish inspiration to your table? Then try my Guinness Onion Soup!
Slow-cooked caramelized onions, a bold Guinness broth, and plenty of umami—it’s everything you want in a cozy bowl. Give it a try and tag me on Instagram @madly__delicious with #MadlyDelicious to share your take!
More Soup Recipes
Middle Eastern-Inspired Roasted Zucchini Soup
Thai-Inspired Corn Coconut Soup (Tom Kha Style)
Smoky White Bean and Kale Soup
Guinness Onion Soup
Equipment
- Dutch oven or large pot
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp plant-based butter
- 4 large yellow or sweet onions (5-6 medium), thinly sliced
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme)
- ¾ tsp salt, adjust to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 (14.9-ounce) can Guinness beer
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce (or lite soy sauce)
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (start with 1 and add more if desired)
- Slices of plant-based white cheddar cheese
- Crusty bread for dipping
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions, cover, and cook for 8–10 minutes, until they begin to soften and turn translucent.Remove the lid and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 40–50 minutes, or until the onions develop a deep golden-brown color. Once they begin to caramelize, stir in 2 tsp brown sugar and continue cooking, stirring occasionally.
- Add Seasonings & Deglaze with Guinness: Stir in the 2 cloves minced garlic, 1½ tsp dried thyme, ¾ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.Pour in the 14.9-ounce can Guinness beer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 10 minutes until the alcohol cooks off and the liquid reduces.
- Add Broth & Simmer: Stir in 4 cups vegetable broth and bring the soup to a gentle simmer, cover with the lid slightly tilted, and let it cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish & Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, then taste again and add another splash or so of balsamic vinegar.
- Melt the Cheese: While the soup simmers, preheat the broiler. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with 2 slices of vegan cheddar, and place under the broiler until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove from the oven and serve hot with crusty bread for dipping. Enjoy!