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French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup Recipe

French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 20 reviews

This French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup combines the deep, rich flavors of slow-simmered beef short ribs with the sweet, caramelized onions typical of classic French onion soup. Topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère cheese, this hearty and comforting soup is perfect for a cozy meal, delivering intense savory notes and tender meat in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup:

  • 2 lbs beef short ribs (bone-in for maximum flavor)
  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For Topping:

  • 6 slices of baguette or crusty bread, toasted
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese

Instructions

  1. Sear the Beef Short Ribs: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper, then sear on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove ribs and set aside.
  2. Caramelize the Onions: Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the pot. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until golden and caramelized. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  3. Build the Soup: Return short ribs to the pot and add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2-3 hours until short ribs are tender and falling off the bone. Remove ribs, shred the meat, discard bones, and return meat to the pot.
  4. Prepare the Topping: Preheat your broiler. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, place a toasted baguette slice on top of each bowl and sprinkle generously with shredded Gruyère. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Carefully remove bowls from the oven and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme.

Notes

  • Bone-in short ribs add richer flavor, but boneless can be used if preferred.
  • Caramelizing onions slowly is key for sweetness and depth; do not rush this step.
  • If using dried thyme, add at the start of simmering. Fresh thyme is best added at the end to retain aroma.
  • Gruyère melts best and adds authentic flavor; Swiss cheese is a good substitute.
  • Use oven-safe bowls to avoid cracking when broiling the soup.
  • Leftovers keep well for 2-3 days refrigerated and flavors meld beautifully overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion soup, beef short rib soup, caramelized onion soup, hearty soup, Gruyère soup, comfort food, slow cooked beef, winter soup

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/french-onion-beef-short-rib-soup-recipe/