Description
French onion beef short rib soup is a rich, comforting blend of deeply caramelized onions, tender short ribs, and savory beef broth. Topped with toasted bread and melted Gruyère, it’s a luxurious twist on the classic French onion soup.
Ingredients
- 2.5–3 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 large yellow or sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine or sherry
- 8 cups beef broth (low-sodium or homemade)
- 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
- 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Sear in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and olive oil, then onions. Cook, stirring often, for 30–40 minutes until onions are deeply caramelized.
- Add garlic and cook 1–2 minutes. Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up browned bits.
- Return short ribs to the pot. Add broth, thyme, bay leaf, and balsamic vinegar if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 2.5–3 hours until ribs are tender.
- Remove ribs, discard bones, shred meat, and return it to the pot. Discard bay leaf and thyme stems.
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top with toasted baguette slices and shredded cheese.
- Broil for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use red wine instead of white for a deeper flavor.
- For a lighter version, skim fat before serving and use boneless short ribs.
- Add mushrooms for extra richness.
- Soup freezes well without bread and cheese—add toppings fresh when serving.
- Gruyère gives the best melt and flavor, but Swiss or provolone are good alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
