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5 from 11 votes
Home By Course Main Entrees Soup

The Best Healthy French Onion Soup

Get ready to warm right up with this super flavorful and cozy Healthy French Onion Soup recipe! Sweet caramelized onions, roasted garlic, rich broth and gooey cheese, it's the perfect balance of light, but yummy, comfort food! Plus even without any meat this soup packs 12g of protein!

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By: Lauren published: Jan. 31, 2023 updated: Sep. 04, 2024 8 Comments

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Healthy french onion soup in the bowls with spoons.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This French Onion Soup
Ingredients and Substitutions
How To Make
FAQ: Healthy French Onion Soup Recipe
More Easy Soup Recipes You’ll Love
The Best Healthy French Onion Soup
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

This soup is so flavorful and so cozy! It is absolutely a winter staple because seriously – who doesn’t crave a good french onion soup?!

I feel like french onion soup is one of those foods you can enjoy any time with just about anything. It’s just the perfect side soup! But you can also make it into the star of the meal by doubling up on your bowl of soup and adding in some protein.

I wrote this homemade french onion soup recipe including some fresh toasted baguette slices with some melted cheese on top. But that’s just one idea! This delicious soup is amazing any way you spin it.

Homemade croutons are also out of this world on this soup! And you can never go wrong serving alongside a grilled cheese!

Want more cozy soup recipes? Try my Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup, Italian Chicken Cabbage Soup or Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup!

Healthy french onion soup topped with two slices of baguette in bowls with spoons.

Why You’ll Love This French Onion Soup

  • Rich, cheesy, garlicky... Literally the perfect cozy soup!
  • Works great as a side dish or star of the meal.
  • Packs 12g of protein without any meat!
  • Only ONE pot required. Easy recipe = easier clean up!
  • Classic french onion soup is a staple you have to have in your recipe box!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for french onion soup.
  • Butter – I used unsalted butter. You can use dairy-free butter if needed. The butter is what helps give french onion soup it’s rich, multi-dimensional levels of flavor!
  • Olive oil – used in addition to the butter to caramelize the onions.
  • Onion – I used sweet onions but you could use yellow onions too. Maybe just add a teaspoon of sugar with it so has that sweet taste still!
  • Garlic– I used minced garlic cloves.
  • Flour– I used all-purpose. You could also use gluten free flour here. My favorite gluten-free flours are Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur’s.
  • Beef bone broth – Bone broth is so healthy for you! It’s packed with protein and has so many health benefits. Since it’s so similar to broth, I supplemented some of the beef broth for the beef bone broth to give this soup some extra protein. But you can definitely just use more beef broth if you preferred.
  • Beef broth – You could also use beef stock here or chicken or vegetable broth. Or more bone broth!
  • Worcestershire sauce – This also helps give the soup another depth of flavor! You can use soy sauce in a pinch.
  • Thyme – You could use use fresh thyme sprigs or dried thyme also works!
  • Bay leaf – Bay leaves are another component that help deepen the flavor and is what is used in traditional french onion soup.
  • French Baguette – Some fresh bread to serve with of course! You could also make some homemade crotons!
  • Gruyere cheese – I used freshly shredded, which I HIGHLY recommend. Freshly shredded is always going to be cheesier than the pre-shredded cheese. But any cheese works and you can use any type of cheese here! Swiss cheese, Provolone, etc!

How To Make

The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!

How to make healthy french onion soup (process steps).

Step 1: Melt the butter and olive oil in a large dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Add the onions.

Step 3: Saute for about 30 minutes, or until caramelized. Check and stir every 5 minutes to make sure they’re not burning.

Step 4: Once caramelized, add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. 

How to make healthy french onion soup (process steps).

Step 5: Stir in the flour and 1 tsp salt (or to taste).

Step 6: Add 1/2 cup of the beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.

Step 7: Then add in the beef broth, Worcheshire sauce, thyme, bay leaf and the rest of the bone both.

Step 8: Simmer for 15-20 minutes then discard the thyme and bay leaf. Taste and add any salt and/or pepper to taste.

How to make baguette (process steps).

Step 9: Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the baguette into 1-inch pieces. Spray both sides of the baguettes with olive oil spray and sprinkle with garlic powder (if desired). Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Step 10: Bake for about 4 minutes on each side or until toasted to your liking.

Step 11: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the cheese evenly on top of all the baguettes.

Step 12: Bake for another 4 minutes or until the cheese is melty. Ladle the soup into bowls. Add a slice of your cheesy baguette on top and serve!

FAQ: Healthy French Onion Soup Recipe

Can I make this French Onion soup dairy free?

Yes! This recipe can be easily be made dairy free! Just use dairy-free butter and dairy-free shredded cheese.

Can this soup be made vegan?

Yes, it can! To make this a vegan French Onion Soup, do the same as above, plus use vegetable broth in place of the bone broth and beef broth.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

I honestly think this one is easier just to make in a dutch oven or large pot. But if you wanted to, you definitely can. Just follow according to the recipe card for steps 1-3. Then transfer the onions to the slow cooker. Add in the beef broth, Worcheshire sauce, thyme, bay leaf and the rest of the bone both. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 3-4 hours and remove bay leaf before serving.

What to serve with this French Onion Soup recipe?

I highly recommend serving with the cheesy baguette bread slices (directions included!) Any kind of cheesy toast, french bread, or crusty, crunchy bread would also taste amazing! You could also pair this with a baked potato, salad or even serve it up as a side to any main dish!

Healthy french onion soup topped with two baguettes slices.

More Easy Soup Recipes You’ll Love

Chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with a spoon.

Creamy Lightened-up Chicken Gnocchi Soup (One Pot)

Healthy chicken pot pie soup in a bowl with a spoon.

Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup (One Pot + Dairy Free)

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Italian Chicken Cabbage Soup (Dairy Free, Low Calorie)

Bowls of buffalo chicken soup topped with green onion and sour cream.

Low Carb Buffalo Chicken Soup

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

Healthy french onion soup topped with two baguettes slices.
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5 from 11 votes

The Best Healthy French Onion Soup

? Dairy-Free ? Gluten-Free ? Macro-friendly
Get ready to warm right up with this super flavorful and cozy Healthy French Onion Soup recipe! Sweet caramelized onions, roasted garlic, rich broth and gooey cheese, it's the perfect balance of light, but yummy, comfort food! Plus even without any meat this soup packs 12g of protein!
Yield: 5
Prep: 15 minutes mins
Cook: 45 minutes mins
Total: 1 hour hr
Calories: 216kcal
Protein: 12g
Fat: 7.6g
Carbs: 25g

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (30g)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (15g)
  • 4 large yellow onions (1112g) thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 Tbsp all purpose or gf flour (22g)
  • 2 cups beef bone broth (480g) divided
  • 4 cups beef broth (960g)
  • 1 Tbsp Worcheshire sauce (15g)
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • French baguette for serving
  • Freshly shredded gruyere cheese for serving

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

Preparing the French Onion Soup:

  • Melt the butter and olive oil in a large dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute for about 30 minutes, or until caramelized. Check and stir every 5 minutes to make sure they’re not burning.
  • Once caramelized, add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the flour and 1 tsp salt (or to taste).
  • Add 1/2 cup of the beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
    Then add in the beef broth, Worcheshire sauce, thyme, bay leaf and the rest of the bone both. Simmer for 15-20 minutes then discard the thyme and bay leaf. Taste and add any salt and/or pepper to taste.

Preparing the Baguette:

  • Meanwhile, while the soup is simmering, preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Slice the baguette into 1-inch pieces. Spray both sides of the baguettes with olive oil spray and sprinkle with garlic powder (if desired). Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 4 minutes on each side or until toasted to your liking.
  • Remove from the oven and sprinkle the cheese evenly on top of all the baguettes. Bake for another 4 minutes or until the cheese is melty.
  • Ladle the soup into bowls. Add a slice of your cheesy baguette on top and serve!

Equipment

  • stockpot
  • Extra Large Baking Sheet

Notes

To make gluten-free: use gluten-free flour like Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur’s.
To make dairy-free: use dairy-free butter and dairy-free shredded cheese.
To make vegan: use dairy-free butter, dairy-free shredded cheese and use vegetable broth in place of the bone broth and beef broth.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1.5 cups (340g), Calories: 216kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 25g (8%), Protein: 12g (24%), Fat: 7.6g (12%), Saturated Fat: 3.3g (21%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 10g (11%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF French Onion Soup

© Author: Lauren

Healthy french onion soup topped with two baguettes slices.

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Lauren

Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

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I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

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