French Onion Soup Calories

The delicious combination of caramelized onions and beef broth contribute towards the rich flavor of the soup. While serving, thick slices of oven toasted French bread are placed in each bowl and grates or slices of Swiss cheese are added over the toast.

The crunchy croûtons of crusty bread with melted cheese, and the mellow and sweet caramelized onions in the broth, make this soup a truly comforting winter warmer. The preparation for this culinary delight varies with the cooking methods and the ingredients used in it, which also marks a stark difference in the calories content.

Whatever may be the cooking method, the sweetness of the caramelized onions that go wonderfully with the sharpness of the cheese and the pleasant taste of the beef broth gives the soup a rich flavor. Traditionally prepared onion soup is known for its perfectly contrasting flavors; It is a combination of rich beef broth and sweet, caramelized onions.

Amongst all the delectable recipes, French onion soup is one of the most simplest to prepare. The key ingredient in this popular grub is the onion. The remainder of the items are just additives giving out a distinction in aroma and flavor. The preparation is particularly characterized by slow cooking of the onion till it caramelizes.

People opting for a vegetarian diet can easily manipulate the preparation and alter the ingredients used. In other words, a vegetable broth can be used as a substitute for a meat broth, and a vegan cheese can also be used for a vegan recipe. Although these recipes are a deviation from the authentic French recipes, new innovations can wonderfully flavorful.

• Soup without cheese and croûtons: 250 g - 80 kcal
• Canned, frozen soup: 285 g - 200 kcal
• Baked French onion soup: 1 serving - 547 kcal
• Soup with cheese and croûtons: 280 g - 200 kcal
• French onion vegetable classics: 230 g - 50 kcal

• Oonion au gratin soup with reduced fat cheese and croûtons: 1 bowl - 150 kcal
• Organic soup: 240 g - 35 kcal
• Fresh soup: 500 g - 155 kcal
• Red French onion with croûton soup: 140 g - 70 kcal

Take a look at the nutrition facts printed on the labels. Frozen or canned soup (which is highly processed) is high in sodium and cholesterol. Apart from just supplying calories, the soup is rich with nutrients. Homemade soup is a good alternative, because making changes in the ingredients would be within the cook's disposal.

Homemade beef broth and fresh onions are the conventional elements of an onion soup; but you can enjoy different recipes with different ingredients. Chefs usually don't disclose their secrets, but it is an open secret that they add a splash of sherry or cognac near the end of the caramelizing process, to enhance the flavor.