Description
This French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup is a deeply flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender, slow-simmered beef short ribs with sweet caramelized onions and rich beef broth. Finished with toasted French bread and melted Swiss or Gruyère cheese, this soup offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and cheesy elements, ideal for cozy meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound beef short ribs
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Topping
- 4 slices French bread
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat to prepare for searing the meat.
- Sear Short Ribs: Season beef short ribs with salt and pepper. Sear them in the pot until browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Caramelize Onions: Add the sliced onions to the same pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, enhancing the soup’s aroma.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Return short ribs to the pot. Add beef broth, balsamic vinegar, thyme, bay leaf, and additional salt and pepper to season.
- Simmer Soup: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 1.5-2 hours until the beef is tender and flavors meld.
- Toast Bread: Preheat oven broiler. Lightly toast French bread slices on a baking sheet until crisp and golden.
- Shred Meat: Remove ribs from soup, shred the meat off the bones, and discard the bones. Return shredded meat to the soup.
- Assemble Bowls: Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each with a slice of toasted bread and sprinkle generously with shredded cheese.
- Broil Cheese: Broil the bowls for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Serve hot for best taste.
Notes
- Use Swiss or Gruyère cheese for authentic flavor and good melting properties.
- For a deeper flavor, caramelize onions slowly and avoid burning.
- The soup can be prepared a day ahead to allow flavors to develop better.
- Substitute short ribs with beef chuck if unavailable, but adjust simmering time accordingly.
- Use oven-safe bowls for broiling to avoid cracking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
