Savory Lightened French Onion Soup
Experience the rich and hearty flavors of French Onion Soup, now made lighter for the health-conscious cook. This delightful recipe features perfectly caramelized onions enhanced by a touch of beef and chicken broth, creating a comforting and savory base. By using a mixture of light butter and no-fat butter spray, this version dramatically reduces the calories without sacrificing flavor. Enjoy the delightful aroma of thyme and garlic, complemented by a hint of tomato sauce and a dash of Tabasco for a subtle kick. Perfectly suited for diet-friendly meals, this soup is not only filling and satisfying but also a delicious way to warm up on chilly days.
4-5 servings
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sweet creamy butter
1/4 cup (Melted)
Sliced yellow onions
8 cups (4 to 5 medium onions, sliced)
Beef broth
2 (14 ounce) cans (Ready to use)
Chicken broth
3/4 cup (Ready to use)
All-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (For thickening)
Water
1 1/2 cups (Ready to use)
Tomato sauce or ketchup
1 tablespoon (Optional seasoning)
Ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons (For seasoning)
Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (For seasoning)
Dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Tabasco sauce
A couple drops (For flavor)
Focaccia bread
As needed (For croutons)
Shaved asiago cheese
A couple tablespoons (For garnish)
Instructions
1
Begin by melting the sweet creamy butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, add the sliced onions.
2
Increase the heat to high and sauté the onions for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently until they become a deep, golden brown.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, beef broth, chicken broth, water, tomato sauce (or ketchup), black pepper, salt, thyme, garlic powder, and Tabasco sauce. This helps to prevent lumps in the soup.
4
Pour the broth mixture into the pot with the caramelized onions and stir well to combine. Bring the soup to a boil.
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to deepen the flavors.
6
While the soup is simmering, prepare croutons by slicing the focaccia bread into slices. Butter both sides of each slice and then cut them into bite-sized cubes.
7
Bake the bread cubes in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown. (Alternatively, you can spray them with no-fat butter spray before baking.)
8
Lastly, serve the soup hot, topped generously with croutons and shaved asiago cheese for a luxurious finish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Lightened French Onion Soup?
It is a lighter version of the classic French Onion Soup that maintains rich, hearty flavors while reducing calories using light butter and specific broth mixtures.
How many onions are needed for this recipe?
You will need 8 cups of sliced yellow onions, which is approximately 4 to 5 medium-sized onions.
What is the first step in preparing the soup?
Begin by melting the sweet creamy butter in a large pot over medium heat before adding the sliced onions.
How long should the onions be sauteed?
The onions should be sauteed on high heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently until they are deep golden brown.
How do I prevent lumps when adding flour to the soup?
Whisk the flour together with the beef broth, chicken broth, water, and seasonings in a separate bowl before adding it to the pot.
Can I use ketchup instead of tomato sauce?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce or ketchup as an optional seasoning.
What type of broth is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses a combination of 28 ounces of beef broth and 3/4 cup of chicken broth.
How much water should be added to the broth mixture?
You should add 1 1/2 cups of water to the broth mixture.
What seasonings provide the flavor base for the soup?
The soup is seasoned with ground black pepper, salt, dried thyme, garlic powder, and a couple drops of Tabasco sauce.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Once the soup reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
Why is the soup simmered uncovered?
Simmering the soup uncovered helps to deepen the flavors of the broth and onions.
What kind of bread is recommended for the croutons?
Focaccia bread is recommended for making the croutons for this soup.
What temperature is used to bake the croutons?
The croutons should be baked in a preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
How long do the croutons take to bake?
The croutons take approximately 15 minutes to become crispy and golden brown.
Is there a low-fat alternative for preparing the croutons?
Yes, you can spray the bread cubes with no-fat butter spray instead of using regular butter before baking.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 4 to 5 servings.
What type of cheese is used for the garnish?
The soup is topped with a couple of tablespoons of shaved asiago cheese.
What gives the soup a subtle kick?
A couple of drops of Tabasco sauce are added to give the soup a subtle spicy kick.
Is this soup suitable for a diet?
Yes, it is specifically described as a diet-friendly and lightened version of traditional French Onion Soup.
What type of butter is suggested?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of sweet creamy butter.
How much dried thyme is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme for seasoning.
Can I use fresh garlic?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, but fresh garlic could likely be substituted during the onion sauteing phase.
Should the onions be sliced or chopped?
The onions should be sliced for this specific recipe.
What is the role of the flour in the recipe?
The 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour act as a thickening agent for the soup.
How much salt and pepper is required?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground black pepper.
How do you prepare the focaccia for the soup?
Slice the bread, butter both sides, and then cut it into bite-sized cubes before baking.
Does the recipe include any sugar?
No, the recipe does not list sugar as an ingredient, relying on the natural sweetness of caramelized onions.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 14 ingredients used in this recipe.
How should the soup be served?
The soup should be served hot, topped generously with the prepared croutons and shaved asiago cheese.
What makes this version 'lightened'?
It uses a mixture of light butter and no-fat butter spray to reduce calories without sacrificing the traditional flavor profile.