How do you unlock and craft onion soup, and what are its stats?

Unlocking and crafting onion soup in Valheim is a mid-to-late game process that requires exploration, farming, and cooking. Onion soup is a valuable food item that provides balanced health and stamina boosts, making it a great choice for Vikings looking to sustain themselves during long expeditions or tough battles. To unlock and craft onion soup, you must first obtain onion seeds, grow onions, and then use a cauldron to prepare the dish.\n\nTo begin, you need to find onion seeds, which are located in the Mountain biome. These seeds are often found in chests within Frost Caves, a type of dungeon exclusive to the Mountains. Frost Caves are home to dangerous enemies like Cultists and Ulvs, so ensure you are well-equipped with frost-resistant gear, such as the Wolf Armor set or Frost Resistance Mead. Bring a pickaxe to break through ice barriers inside the caves, as they often block access to chests containing onion seeds.\n\nOnce you have obtained onion seeds, you need to plant and grow them. Farming in Valheim requires a cultivator, which is crafted at a forge using 5 core wood and 5 bronze. Core wood is obtained by chopping down pine trees in the Black Forest biome, while bronze is made by combining copper and tin at a forge. After crafting the cultivator, find a suitable farming area in the Meadows or Plains biome, as these areas are safer and more fertile. Use the cultivator to till the soil and plant the onion seeds. Ensure the area is protected from enemies by building fences or walls.\n\nOnions take approximately 2 in-game days to grow. Once harvested, you can use them to craft onion soup. To do this, you need a cauldron, which is crafted at a forge using 10 tin. Place the cauldron near a fire source, such as a campfire or hearth, and interact with it to open the cooking menu. Onion soup requires 3 onions and 1 mushroom. Mushrooms are commonly found in the Black Forest biome or can be foraged in the Meadows. Combine these ingredients in the cauldron to create onion soup.\n\nOnion soup provides 20 health, 60 stamina, and a duration of 1600 seconds (approximately 26 minutes). This makes it an excellent mid-tier food item for sustaining your Viking during exploration or combat. Its long duration and balanced stats make it a reliable choice for players who want to avoid constantly managing their hunger levels.\n\nOne common challenge players face is locating Frost Caves in the Mountain biome. These caves are not always easy to find, so it is recommended to explore the Mountains thoroughly, especially at higher elevations. If you are struggling to find onion seeds, consider bringing a friend to help with exploration and combat. Additionally, ensure you have a portal set up near the Mountains for quick access and resource transportation.\n\nFor new players, farming can be a daunting task, but it is essential for long-term survival in Valheim. Start by securing a safe farming area and gradually expand your crops as you progress. Experienced Vikings can optimize their farming setup by using the Plains biome, which offers faster crop growth rates. However, be cautious of the biome''s hostile enemies, such as Fulings and Deathsquitos.\n\nIn summary, unlocking and crafting onion soup involves exploring the Mountain biome for onion seeds, farming onions, and using a cauldron to prepare the dish. This food item is a valuable addition to your inventory, offering balanced health and stamina boosts with a long duration. By following these steps and overcoming common challenges, you can ensure your Viking is well-fed and ready for any adventure.