Imagine a soup so rich, creamy, and bursting with deep, caramelized garlic flavor that it turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience. This Instant Pot Roasted Garlic Soup is not just a recipe; it's a game-changing comfort food that will have your taste buds dancing and your kitchen smelling like a gourmet restaurant. In just 40 minutes, you'll create a luxurious, velvety soup that proves sophisticated cooking can be both simple and incredibly delicious.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 whole head of garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic: Cut the top off the whole head of garlic, exposing the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and wrap loosely in aluminum foil.
- Roast the garlic in the Instant Pot using the sauté function. Place the foil-wrapped garlic directly in the pot and roast for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally until the garlic becomes soft and golden brown.
- Remove the roasted garlic and let it cool slightly. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a separate bowl.
- In the same Instant Pot, sauté chopped onions in the remaining olive oil until translucent and slightly caramelized, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add the roasted garlic cloves to the onions and stir to combine, releasing the garlic's aromatic flavors.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and close the Instant Pot lid. Set to high pressure and cook for 10 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, do a quick release of the pressure and open the lid.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, carefully transfer to a standard blender in batches.
- Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs or croutons.
Tips
- Choose fresh, high-quality garlic for the most intense flavor. Look for firm bulbs with tight, unbroken skin.
- When roasting garlic, don't rush the process. Slow roasting allows the cloves to caramelize and develop a rich, sweet complexity.
- For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine or a sprinkle of fresh thyme when sautéing the onions.
- If you prefer a lighter soup, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream.
- To achieve the smoothest texture, use an immersion blender directly in the Instant Pot or carefully transfer to a high-powered blender.
- Garnish with crispy croutons, a drizzle of olive oil, or fresh chopped herbs like parsley or chives for added visual appeal and texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 70mg
