The 8 Best Substitutes for Cream of Onion Soup

The best substitutes for cream of onion soup will mimic the texture and flavor without altering the recipe too noticeably. Various other cream soups serve as the best substitutes, in most cases. Depending on the recipe, simply adding soup ingredients, such as cream, broth, or onions, may suffice. 

Cream of onion soup is one of the easier canned soups to find substitutes for, as several options offer similar flavors and textures. In this article, I’ll share some of the best substitutes for cream for onion soup for you to consider on your journey to making delicious food! 

1. Cream of Potato Soup

If you’re looking for the same thick consistency as cream of onion soup, then cream of potato soup might be an ideal choice. Cream of potato can give you the thickness and smoothness, but sadly without the flavor. 

Because potato soup is almost a neutral flavor, you can quickly chop and change the flavors as you wish and add more spices. Cream of potato soup is the perfect substitute in dishes such as a slow-cooked enchilada casserole.

2. Cream of Mushroom Soup

Cream of mushroom soup can be an ideal substitute for cream of onion soup due to its distinct flavor and texture. Depending on flavor preferences, you can alter this soup with garlic powder and salt and pepper. 

The consistency of cream of mushroom soup is a bit rougher than that of cream of onion and thus affects the outcome of a dish. Cream of mushroom goes great with a dish such as creamy chicken stew.

3. Cream of Chicken Soup

If you want to replace your cream of onion soup with a richer flavor, then cream of chicken might be your choice. Cream of chicken has a smooth texture combined with small tender chicken pieces and chicken broth. 

This soup is ideal for replacing the cream of onion soup due to its rich and creamy flavoring. It works well in dishes such as chicken pot pie.  

4. French Onion Soup

As a delicious peasant dish, french onion soup has a long history of positive feedback. Traditionally made with yellow onions and beef stock, French onion soup is an old member of the French cuisine family. If you’re trying to maintain the onion flavoring, French onion soup can easily substitute the cream of onion soup. 

Although french onion has a different type of thickness, you can easily add a bit of cream to create a creamy onion soup. Due to its delicate flavor, french onion soup can be beneficial in dishes such as chicken with red potatoes.

5. Cream of Vegetable Soup

If you cook a recipe for vegetarians, cream of vegetable soup could work as a suitable substitute and complement many vegetarian dishes. Although the flavor is different from cream of onion soup, you can quickly add some onions to your recipe to spice things up. 

Cream of vegetables has tiny bits of veggies in the mixture and can vary in texture depending on the brand. 

Depending on the recipe you’re working on, you can easily substitute cream of onion soup with other soups, even if they have different textures and flavor profiles. By carefully choosing the right product for your dish, you can easily create a wholesome and filling meal without stress.

6. Yogurt and Garlic 

Yogurt and garlic are a quick substitute to avoid pre-packaged mixtures and extra cooking time. Simply add plain greek yogurt, a bit of garlic powder, and some salt and pepper into your recipe and cook as normal. As a recipe example, a yogurt and garlic mix will work well for jalapeno mac and cheese.

The yogurt works effectively to make a dish creamier, and the spices help to enhance the flavor. Together, these closly mimic both the taste and texture of cream of onion soup. 

You can also substitute yogurt for full-fat (heavy) cream. (See next on list)

7. Broth and Cream

If you’re not worried about the texture and need a liquid to thin out or flavor your recipe, then chicken, beef, or vegetable broth can add just enough liquid with loads of flavor. 

Since broth tends to make dishes a bit watery, add full-fat cream as well to thicken the mixture and give it a rich and creamy consistency. Broth and cream can easily replace the cream of onion soup in a One-Skillet Lasagna, for example. Just be cautious when using full-fat cream, as it tends to be very rich.

8. Homemade Cream of Onion Soup

You can easily whip up a super savory creamy onion soup from scratch if you’re committed to using cream of onion soup. 

Homemade soups are also more nutritious and beneficial to your health than pre-canned and condensed soups from the grocery, so you might consider making your own cream of onion soup whenever you need it.

Here’s a simple recipe from Berly’s Kitchen to make cream of onion soup in just 20 minutes:

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup White Onion 
• 1/2 Cup Milk 
• 3/4 Cup Vegetable or Chicken Broth
• 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1/8 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter
•  A Dash of Smoked Paprika
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

You can usually find soup ingredients at your local marketplace, with popular brands such as Heinz, Knorr, and Campbell’s selling a wide variety of canned and packaged soups to the public. 

Procedure

1. Start by mixing flour and milk in a small bowl.
2. In a medium saucepan, place the butter into the pan and let it melt over low to medium heat.
3. Add your onions to the pan and cook them until golden.
4. After cooking the onions, you can add either chicken or vegetable broth.  
5. Once the broth is mixed in, you can add garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika for flavor. 
6. Keep cooking the ingredients until they simmer, and then add your flour and milk mixture. 
7. Once you have added all ingredients, you can keep stirring for about 5 minutes until the soup has thickened. 

Storage

It’s important to note that homemade soups last a full 2-3 days before expiring. A good rule of thumb is to note the number of acidic ingredients in your soup; acidic ingredients tend to last longer in the fridge. Always do a taste test before reheating your soup; this can prevent food poisoning and upset stomachs.

Why Can’t I Find Cream of Onion Soup?

You can’t always find cream of onion soup at the grocery due to low stock, high shipping costs, or other business factors. Location and store size also impact product availability, and smaller stores typically have fewer brands and product varieties to put on the shelf. 

Cream of Onion Soup Substitutes Pros and Cons

When considering substitutes, there are pros and cons to weigh out to decide which product will work best, as noted in the table below: 

Substitute	Pros	Cons
Cream of Potato soup	Thick consistency, creamy	Neutral flavor
Cream of mushroom soup	Filled with protein	It can be chunky or grainy
Cream of chicken soup	Full of flavor and thick texture	Not suitable for all dishes
French Onion Soup	Satisfying, nourishing, Thick	Not creamy on its own
Cream of Vegetable	Vegetarian-friendly, Creamy	Flavour can vary depending on the brand
Yogurt and Garlic	Common ingredients, easy to come by	It does not have the exact flavor of onions
Broth And Cream	Fast, common ingredients	Broth can water down a dish
Homemade Cream Of Onion Soup	Fresh, Nutritious	It takes time to prepare

For more, don’t miss 8 Handy Substitutes for Cream of Mushroom Soup.