• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Butter Half logo

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Breads and Pastries
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Wraps
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
    • Instant Pot Recipes
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer & Disclosure
  • Cookbook
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Breads and Pastries
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Wraps
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
    • Instant Pot Recipes
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer & Disclosure
  • Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
      • Appetizers and Snacks
      • Breads and Pastries
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Desserts
      • Drinks and Smoothies
      • Main Dishes
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Wraps
      • Sauces and Dressings
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups and Stews
      • Instant Pot Recipes
    • About
      • Work With Me
      • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer & Disclosure
    • Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    The Butter Half / Recipe Index / Appetizers and Snacks / Light French Onion Soup Recipe

    Light French Onion Soup Recipe

    By Abbey Rodriguez • Published: Jan 6, 2016 • Modified: Feb 2, 2023 • Leave a Comment • This post may contain affiliate links.

    JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT

    January is the onset of soup-eating weather. The rain or snow is steadily falling, and days spent inside quickly add up. The best way to stay cozy and prevent cabin fever is to embrace soup in all its forms. I highly recommend starting with this comforting light French onion soup recipe, because A) anything French always makes you feel très magnifique; it gives a certain jois de vivre and B) your house will smell like a three star Michelin restaurant with the aroma of onions caramelized in butter floating through the air.

    Light French Onion Soup Recipe | healthy french onion soup, homemade soup recipes, soup recipe ideas, healthy soup recipes, cool weather recipes, soup recipes for fall, easy soup recipes, dinner recipe ideas || The Butter Half via @thebutterhalf

    Important Steps When Making This Light French Onion Soup Recipe

    The only thing about this soup is it turned out slightly lighter than a classic French onion soup would normally be. I cooked my onions until they were hardly browned and not fully caramelized, which was about 30 minutes. Cooking them for about an hour on an even, low heat is the important step should you want the classic amber liquid most commonly associated with French onion soup.

    Light French Onion Soup Recipe | healthy french onion soup, homemade soup recipes, soup recipe ideas, healthy soup recipes, cool weather recipes, soup recipes for fall, easy soup recipes, dinner recipe ideas || The Butter Half via @thebutterhalf

    Surprisingly, I didn't shed any tears! 😉 Either way I am sharing because I am extremely pleased with the flavor and taste of this batch. Hence the name light French onion soup. I can make it a thing, right? (You're what the French call les incompétents!)

    Light French Onion Soup Recipe | healthy french onion soup, homemade soup recipes, soup recipe ideas, healthy soup recipes, cool weather recipes, soup recipes for fall, easy soup recipes, dinner recipe ideas || The Butter Half via @thebutterhalf

    You can make this light version using chicken broth, or make the traditional darker version still following the recipe, but make sure to deeply brown and caramelize the onions. Oh, and I would recommend using beef broth.

    There you have it, ladies and gentleman. The onion, the only: light French onion soup recipe! Literally.

    Grab the recipe below, stay warm, and enjoy!

    Try these crispy fried onions on your soup!

    How To Make Crispy Fried Onions

    Light French Onion Soup Recipe | healthy french onion soup, homemade soup recipes, soup recipe ideas, healthy soup recipes, cool weather recipes, soup recipes for fall, easy soup recipes, dinner recipe ideas || The Butter Half via @thebutterhalf

    Light French Onion Soup Recipe

    By: Abbey Rodriguez
    PRINT PIN RECIPE
    This light French onion soup recipe is the perfect thing to make for lunch or an appetizer on a chilly day.
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 271kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup white cooking wine
    • ¼ cup butter
    • 1 large onion finely sliced
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 garlic clove finely sliced
    • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
    • 7 cups chicken or beef stock use chicken for lighter soup, beef for darker
    • ½ baguette
    • 2 cups Gruyère or Parmesan cheese finely grated
    • 2 tablespoons parsley finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Bring the white wine to a boil in a small saucepan. Allow it to bubble for 30 seconds to fully remove the alcohol.
    • Melt the butter in a large stockpot over low heat. Add the onions and season with the salt and pepper. Cook them for 25 minutes over low heat for a lighter soup like the one in the photos, or 45 minutes-1 hour over low heat until they are a deep golden brown and fully caramelized for a dark, amber soup.
    • Add the garlic and flour, and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes. Add the stock and wine slowly, stirring continuously. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat, cover and let it simmer for 25 minutes. Add in any additional salt or pepper to taste.
    • While the soup is simmering, cut a baguette in half and cover with ½ cup of Gruyère or Parmesan cheese. Broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes until the bread is crispy. Remove and cut into 1 inch square croutons.
    • Ladle the soup into bowls while hot and top with croutons, extra cheese, and garnish with parsley. Bon appétit!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 1547mg | Potassium: 488mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 455IU | Vitamin C: 2.8mg | Calcium: 335mg | Iron: 1.7mg

    SaveSave

    Sharing is caring!

    78 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Abbey! Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist | I healed my body using holistic nutrition and herbs. And I believe you can, too. Here you will find nourishing recipes and wellness tips for the family, as well as my herbal cookbook, Root & Nourish. Because you can achieve your ultimate wellness goals using plants and whole foods.

    More about me →

    Reader Favorites

    • 15 Minute Instant Pot Italian Meatballs
    • Easy Baked Frittata Recipe with Spinach (Gluten-Free)
    • Easy No-Bake Cookies with Chocolate Chips and Peanut Butter
    • Home Remedy Ear Infection Drops That Actually Work

    Summer Recipes

    • Easy Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins
    • Easy and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
    • 30-Minute Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
    • Healthy Berry Crisp (Gluten Free + Vegan)
    As seen in Pop Sugar, The Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, Shape, and more.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    As seen on...

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 The Butter Half