French Onion Soup
Freeze-dried onions and cheese rehydrate into a savory broth. A warming dinner that carries like nothing.
- calories
- 330
- weight
- 2.5 oz
- cal / oz
- 132
- protein
- 11 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 15 min
- total time
- 17 min
- water
- 240 ml boiled
- cost
- $$
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Dinner
- Canister stove
- Alcohol / Esbit
- Backpacking
- Thru-hike
- Winter / snow
- Nut free
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Freeze-dried onion slices | 1/3 cup | sliced form rehydrates better than minced |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried mozzarella cheese | 1/4 cup | |
| Parmesan cheese | 1 Tbsp | |
| Beef bouillon powder | 1 tsp | low-sodium preferred |
| Italian herb blend | 1/2 tsp | |
| Black pepper | 1/4 tsp | |
| Olive oil | 1 Tbsp | carry in a small dropper bottle |
| Dried baguette slices | 2-3 slices | absorbs the broth as you eat |
Method
- Boil one cup water with the olive oil in a pot.
- Remove from heat and add the freeze-dried onions, mozzarella, parmesan, bouillon powder, Italian herbs, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 15 minutes as the vegetables rehydrate.
- Float the bread slices on top and serve from the pot.
Freeze-dried onions are the trick. They carry the depth of caramelized onion without the weight of fresh vegetables. Added to hot water, they rehydrate fully and release that flavor into broth. Mozzarella and parmesan work together: mozzarella gives body, parmesan adds sharpness and salt. Together they turn one cup of water into a complete dinner.
This is for cold camps when you need heat and calories from almost nothing. Freeze-dried onion slices rehydrate better than minced—they stay distinct instead of turning to paste. The soup carries light, uses only boiling water, and produces no waste.
Packing
Mix freeze-dried onions, both cheeses, bouillon, herbs, and pepper in a quart freezer bag at home. Pack dried bread slices separately in a small bag so they don't absorb moisture. Carry oil in a dropper bottle or single-serving packet.
Variations
- Add 1/4 cup freeze-dried beef or shredded beef for a heartier soup.
- Double the broth volume (but not the onions or cheese) if you prefer a thinner soup to sip from a cup.
- For faster rehydration in cold weather, wrap the covered pot in a sleeping bag or insulated cozy to hold heat.
https://trailcooking.com/2023/03/30/instant-meals-french-onion-soup