Ham Quiche Lorraine With Caramelized Onions & Gouda (2024)

By Kim Hardesty

Originating in France, ham quiche loraine is made with bacon and cheese. This low carb version uses ham, caramelized onions, Gouda and a unique low carb crust to create a beautiful presentation.

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Ham Quiche Lorraine With Caramelized Onions & Gouda (1)

The other day at the store, I bought a 21 pound ham for $6.00. No, that's not a typo - six dollars. Needless to say, it was a lot of ham for a family of four. What did I do with all of that ham? I made a hearty low carb ham and green bean soup, three beautiful low carb quiches, we enjoyed ham with our eggs in the morning with breakfast, and I made ham croquettes. There will be some nice recipes coming up in the next few weeks.

I remember when I first started a low carb lifestyle; never a breakfast eater unless it was cereal or toast, I was at a loss. Fried, poached or scrambled eggs have never been my thing, so I was thankful when my husband suggested that I make a quiche. The first few crustless quiches I made were boring, made with left over veggies from the fridge and cheddar cheese, but I soon found that I loved bacon spinach quiche and ate that almost every day for a very long time. Now, I'm branching out.

This quiche originates from the Lorraine region of France where it is typically made with bacon, onions and a custard of eggs, milk, cream and cheese. Quiche Lorraine became really popular when I was a kid and I remember it served at brunches and Ladies Luncheons. I also remember my mother making Quiche Lorraine and my father teasing that it was too unmanly for him to eat! This version is made with ham instead of bacon and has a gluten-free, grain-free almond crust flavored with thyme. I like the play between the salty ingredients of ham and cheese against the sweet caramelized onions. A little nutmeg adds a nice dimension to the custard and gives it a more sophisticated flavor.

Ham Quiche Lorraine With Caramelized Onions & Gouda (2)

After preparing the low carb quiche crust for the three beautiful low carb quiches I made this week, I have worked out the best procedure for putting it into the spring form pan. The crust is totally optional and the carbs will be lower if it's left off, but it makes for an impressive brunch if kept. I want to provide the recipe and method for this thyme infused crust for when the occasion for a fancy quiche demands.

Now, this is a low carb crust, NOT a flaky wheat pastry crust. It will be different, but it still is delicious. The recipe looks long but this is not a difficult dish to prepare -- it just has several steps. Break it up if you like. I would suggest caramelizing the vegetables and making the crust the day before, then assembling the next day.

Crustless for 10: Calories 255, Fat 22, Carbohydrates 4, Fiber 1, Protein 10

Crustless for 8: Calories 319, Fat 28, Carbohydrates 5, Fiber 1, Protein 13

Ham Quiche Lorraine With Caramelized Onions & Gouda (3)

Ham Quiche Lorraine With Caramelized Onions & Gouda

Originating in France, Quiche Lorraine is made with bacon and cheese. This low carb version uses ham, caramelized onions, Gouda and a unique low carb crust to create a beautiful presentation.

4.67 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: French

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 404kcal

Author: lowcarbmaven.com

Ingredients

Low Carb Thyme Crust

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme

Quiche Filling

  • 4 ounces onion
  • 4 ounces fennel bulb or more onion
  • 8 ounces ham
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 tablespoons green onion

Custard

  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup milk or water
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 8 ounces Gouda cheese I like smoked

Instructions

  • Measure the dry ingredients for the Thyme Crust into a smallish bowl and mix thoroughly with a whisk to incorporate ingredients and break up any lumps. In a smaller bowl, blend the egg with a fork, then add them to the dry ingredients mixing until a dough forms. Refrigerate until it's needed.

  • Slice the fennel thinly and place into a medium non-stick frying pan. Cut the onion in half from root to sprout end. Peel and slice into thin half rounds. Add the onions to the fennel, add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and turn the pan on medium-high until the veggies begin to sizzle. Stir to coat them in the oil. Add ½ cup water and simmer them, covered, until soft - the heat will need to be reduced during the simmering. While the fennel and onions are simmering, chop the ham.

  • Cut a piece of parchment and trace around the bottom of a spring-form pan and cut the circle out. Cut two strips of parchment to line the sides of the pan, too. Spray the bottom of the spring-form pan and fit the parchment circle on it. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it in half. Roll one half of the dough between two pieces of parchment the same diameter as the bottom of the spring-form pan. Transfer the round of dough to the prepared spring form pan and position. Trim off any excess. Spray the ring portion of the pan and attach it to the bottom. Add the strips of parchment along the inside. Roll out the other portion of dough into a rectangle and cut it down the middle lengthwise with a knife. Remove sections of the dough and place it along the inside of the pan - pressing and patching as you go. Trim the top evenly to about ¾ of an inch from the top. Use any extra dough to patch any holes. Put the thyme crust into the refrigerator.

  • Check to see if the fennel and onions are soft. Then, uncover and cook gently until the fennel and onions begin to brown. Remove to a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and brown the chopped ham. Add to the fennel and onions. Cool a bit. Grate the cheese and reserve ¼ to sprinkle on top of the quiche before it goes into the oven.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 and place the rack in the lower third. To the same bowl as the cooled ham and vegetables, add the ingredients for the custard, adding the cheese last. Blend together with a hand mixer and pour into the spring-form pan. Sprinkle with the reserved cheese. Place into the oven and bake for almost an hour. Remove from the oven when there is barely a wiggle in the middle for a properly cooked quiche. I prefer to wait until the top is nice and brown and the quiche is thoroughly cooked. To each his own.

  • When the quiche is done, remove it from the oven and cool for at least 30 minutes before removing the sides.

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Ham Quiche Lorraine With Caramelized Onions & Gouda

Amount Per Serving (404 g)

Calories 404Calories from Fat 315

% Daily Value*

Fat 35g54%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 3g13%

Protein 16g32%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 404g | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 35g | Fiber: 3g

More Low Carb Keto Breakfast Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. NM

    Delicious. Great way to use leftover ham!

    Reply

  2. Suzette

    Hi Kim! I'm wondering what size springform pan you used? Thank you!

    Reply

  3. Shirl

    This looks delish! Going ti make in muffin tuns with cupcake cups! See how it turns out! Thank you!

    Reply

  4. Marcella Smith

    I have this in the oven as I write this, and I can't wait to eat it! I had some trouble getting the crust in the pan, and have a suggestion for those that might have trouble like me: the bottom wasn't too hard to handle, but the sides frustrated me. What I finally did was roll the dough for the sides of the pan into ropes, place them on where you join them to the bottom of the crust, and then press them up the sides. This worked out really well for me, and I think next time I will also press the bottom into the pan also........(an hour later) The quiche turned out beautifully! Just an awesome presentation.. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Kim

      Ooof! I'm sorry the crust was so fiddly. I'm so used to using my rolling pan for everything low carb and patching while I go. It did take me a good 15 minutes to get it in the pan for photos, though. I'm so glad you were happy for the recipe. The other quiche is every bit as amazing in flavor and presentation. Thank so much for commenting and sharing your experience with the recipe. Have a nice evening. -Kim

      Reply

  5. Matt

    Oh my, this was fantastic! Such a beautiful quiche, too, it is almost a shame to devour it so quickly. :)

    Reply

    • Kim

      I’m so glad you liked it. -Kim

      Reply

  6. Maggie

    What is Quiche Filling?

    Reply

    • Kim

      I'm sorry, Maggie. I changed recipe programs and that was supposed to be where the ingredients for the quiche went. I am in the hospital with my mom until 8 pm central time. I will look at the recipe and correct any problems at that time. It's a good recipe. Thanks for your patience and understanding. -Kim

      Reply

  7. Jane

    What I've springform pan ?

    Reply

    • Kim

      A springform pan is one where the sides detach from the bottom. It's traditionally used for cheesecakes. Maybe you call it a cheesecake pan? -Kim

      Reply

  8. Maria

    Oh my!!! This looks delish!! I will definitely try this. Thank you Kim for all your creative and delicious recipes!

    Reply

    • Kim

      Thanks Maria! :) Have a wonderful week. -Kim

      Reply

  9. Ann

    This was sooo yummy! Hubby wants it filed under "Comfort Food".

    Reply

    • Kim

      Thank you Ann, for cooming over from Facebook to comment on my post. I'm glad you guys enjoyed it. We did, too. Have a great weekend! -Kim

      Reply

  10. Amanda {Striped Spatula}

    I love the idea of using almond flour and thyme in the crust. Sounds delicious, I'll definitely be giving this a try!

    Reply

    • Kim

      Thanks, Amanda! -Kim

      Reply

Ham Quiche Lorraine With Caramelized Onions & Gouda (2024)

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