Imagine diving into a bowl of rich, deeply caramelized onion soup that tastes like a decadent French restaurant creation, but without the heavy calories. This Skinny French Onion Soup is your ticket to enjoying a classic comfort dish that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly light. With a perfect balance of sweet caramelized onions, savory broth, and a golden cheese topping, this recipe proves that healthy eating doesn't mean sacrificing flavor.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Whole grain bread for serving
- 1 cup low-fat cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by thinly slicing the onions using a sharp knife. Make sure to slice them uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. The low temperature is crucial for slowly caramelizing the onions without burning.
- Add the sliced onions to the pot and spread them evenly. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, allowing the onions to gradually turn golden brown and develop a rich, sweet flavor. This caramelization process will take approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Sprinkle thyme, salt, and pepper over the caramelized onions, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Pour the beef or vegetable broth into the pot, scraping the bottom to release any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- While the soup is simmering, preheat your oven's broiler and prepare whole grain bread slices.
- Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of whole grain bread and sprinkle generously with low-fat shredded cheese.
- Place the bowls under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden brown.
- Remove from broiler carefully, as the bowls will be extremely hot. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with additional fresh thyme if desired. Enjoy your skinny French onion soup while it's hot and the cheese is still melted.
Tips
- Patience is key when caramelizing onions - use medium-low heat and stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- For maximum flavor, use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven that distributes heat evenly.
- Choose low-fat cheese that still melts well, like part-skim mozzarella or reduced-fat gruyère.
- Slice onions uniformly to ensure even cooking and caramelization.
- Don't rush the caramelization process - it takes about 20-25 minutes to develop those deep, sweet flavors.
- Use fresh thyme if possible for a more aromatic result.
- Watch the broiler carefully when melting cheese to prevent burning.
- For extra nutrition, consider using a whole grain bread with added seeds or grains.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 10mg
