French Garlic Soup Recipe
If there’s ever been a bowl of comfort that whispers “French countryside” and delivers the kind of warmth you remember long after the last spoonful, it’s French Garlic Soup. This humble, rustic classic transforms simple pantry staples into a velvety, aromatic masterpiece—full of the mellowed bite of garlic, lush olive oil, and fragrant sage. Whether you’re serving it to impress dinner guests or seeking solace on a chilly evening, French Garlic Soup promises elegance and coziness in every single sip.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of French Garlic Soup lies in its short ingredient list—that means each element really shines, lending richness, fragrance, or a backbone of flavor. Gather the freshest items you can, and each spoonful will sing.
- Chicken stock (64 ounces): The heart of the broth gives depth and savory backbone. Go with homemade or the best-quality store-bought you can find.
- Fresh sage (small bunch): Just a few sprigs infuse the soup with earthiness and a subtle herbal lift.
- Large head of garlic: Don’t be shy—using a whole head is key to achieving the signature flavor, especially since blanching mellows its punch.
- Olive oil (2/3 cup): Good olive oil offers silkiness and a soft, fruity richness. You can swap in another mild vegetable oil if you prefer.
- Large egg, separated: The yolk will help you create a luscious homemade mayonnaise, while the white can rescue a stubborn emulsion.
- Dijon mustard (1 tsp): Essential for stabilizing your mayo and adding a gentle tang.
- Pinch of salt: Just enough to highlight the layers of flavor in the soup and the creamy mayo.
How to Make French Garlic Soup
Step 1: Simmer the Stock and Sage
Begin by pouring the chicken stock into a large Dutch oven or stock pot, then toss in the sage. Bring it up to a gentle simmer. This slow, steady heat will coax out every bit of the sage’s aromatic oils and set a soothing foundation for your soup.
Step 2: Prep the Garlic
Break apart the garlic head, peel each clove, and slice them lengthwise. Take a moment to remove those little green shoots from the center—they can turn the soup bitter, and with this much garlic, it’s worth doing! A toothpick or the tip of a paring knife does the trick nicely.
Step 3: Blanch the Garlic
Drop your prepared cloves into boiling water for three to four minutes. This quick bath tames any harsh raw notes, leaving you with a sweeter, more delicate garlic flavor that’s signature to French Garlic Soup.
Step 4: Mash the Garlic
Once the garlic has cooled slightly, use a fork to mash it into a fine paste. This is worth the extra effort: achieving a smooth consistency ensures every bowl of soup is luxuriously velvety.
Step 5: Infuse the Stock
Stir the mashed garlic into your gently simmering broth and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Breathe deeply—the aroma wafting through your kitchen at this point is pure French comfort.
Step 6: Whip Up Homemade Mayonnaise
In a jar just wide enough to fit your immersion blender, add the egg yolk, Dijon, salt, and olive oil. Blitz it until thick and creamy. If it remains runny, don’t fret—add the reserved egg white and blend again, which usually does the trick. This luscious mayonnaise will enrich your French Garlic Soup most wondrously.
Step 7: Optional Straining
If you crave an ultra-smooth texture, pour the soup through a fine-mesh strainer. This is purely a matter of preference, but it creates a luxurious mouthfeel befitting a special supper.
Step 8: Temper the Mayonnaise
Ladle some hot soup into your jar of mayonnaise and whisk to combine, then swiftly pour this mixture back into the pot while whisking constantly. This gentle process prevents the mayo from curdling and creates a dreamy, emulsified broth.
Step 9: Final Heat (But Don’t Boil!)
Bring the French Garlic Soup back to just below a simmer and heat through—watch carefully, as you don’t want to let it boil or the egg may scramble. The result will be a golden, glossy soup that’s ready for the spotlight!
How to Serve French Garlic Soup
Garnishes
Classic toppings for French Garlic Soup include crunchy croutons, a generous drizzle of extra olive oil, a flutter of smoked paprika, and fresh parsley. Each ingredient adds color, crunch, and an herbal sparkle—so don’t skip them!
Side Dishes
This soup is utterly inviting with a slice of toasted baguette or a tangy side salad. Pair it with goat cheese toasts or a crisp endive salad—these bracing, bright flavors balance the richness of the broth beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re in the mood to impress, try serving French Garlic Soup in petite cups or shot glasses for an elegant appetizer. Or pour the soup into hollowed-out bread rolls for a rustic, edible bowl—perfect for dunking every last morsel.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow any leftover French Garlic Soup to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Thanks to the mayonnaise, the texture will remain pleasantly creamy for up to three days.
Freezing
While it’s possible to freeze French Garlic Soup, be aware that the emulsified base might separate a little upon thawing. To minimize this, freeze without the mayonnaise, then whisk in freshly made mayo after reheating.
Reheating
Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly and never letting it boil. Reheating slowly lets the flavors meld without the risk of splitting or curdling the soup.
FAQs
Is French Garlic Soup extremely garlicky?
Surprisingly, no! Blanching and simmering the garlic mellows its flavor, resulting in a creamy soup that’s aromatic and rich, but never harsh or overpowering.
Can I use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock?
Absolutely. A good, robust vegetable stock (especially homemade) makes French Garlic Soup completely vegetarian while still delivering lots of body and flavor.
What should I do if my homemade mayonnaise doesn’t thicken?
If the mayonnaise is stubbornly thin, add the reserved egg white and blend again. This usually solves the problem by giving the emulsion extra protein structure to bind it together.
Can I make this recipe without an immersion blender?
You can! Use a small food processor or even a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease. The immersion blender just makes the job lightning fast and foolproof.
How far ahead can I prepare French Garlic Soup?
You can make the soup base (up to the point of adding the mayonnaise) a day or two in advance. For best texture, add the mayonnaise just before serving, whisking it in gently as you reheat the soup.
Final Thoughts
This French Garlic Soup is proof that a handful of simple ingredients, a dash of patience, and a generous spirit can create something truly memorable. Give it a try—your kitchen will smell like magic, and every spoonful is guaranteed to transport you straight to Provence!
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French Garlic Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and flavorful French garlic soup recipe that is sure to warm you up on a chilly day. The combination of garlic, sage, and a velvety smooth texture makes this soup a standout dish.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 64 ounces chicken stock
- Small bunch fresh sage
- 1 large head of garlic
For the Mayonnaise:
- 2/3 cup olive oil, or other vegetable oil you prefer
- 1 large egg, separated
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Heat the Stock: In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, heat the chicken stock and sage until simmering.
- Prepare Garlic: Peel and halve the garlic cloves, removing any bitter shoots. Boil cloves, then mash finely.
- Make Mayonnaise: Blend egg yolk, mustard, salt, and oil to make mayonnaise. Temper with hot soup before adding to the pot.
- Combine and Serve: Stir the mayonnaise into the soup, whisking well. Reheat gently and serve with toppings.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, strain the soup before adding the mayonnaise.
- Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: French garlic soup, garlic soup recipe, French soup with sage
