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French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 68 reviews

A rich and hearty French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup featuring tender braised beef short ribs, deeply caramelized onions, and a savory broth topped with toasted French bread and melted Gruyère cheese, perfect for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup:

  • 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 the Topping:

  • 4 slices of French bread
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat Oil and Sear Ribs: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the beef short ribs with salt and pepper, then sear them in the pot until browned on all sides, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove the ribs and set aside.
  2. Caramelize Onions: Add the thinly sliced onions to the same pot and cook over medium heat until deeply caramelized, about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  3. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to release its aroma.
  4. Add Broth and Herbs: Return the seared short ribs to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, balsamic vinegar, thyme, bay leaf, and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
  6. Toast Bread: While the soup simmers, preheat your oven broiler. Place French bread slices on a baking sheet and toast lightly until golden.
  7. Shred Beef: Once the short ribs are tender, remove them from the pot. Shred the meat away from the bones and discard the bones. Return the shredded meat to the soup.
  8. Assemble Bowls: Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a slice of the toasted French bread on top of each bowl and sprinkle generously with shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese.
  9. Broil Cheese: Place the bowls under the broiler for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden and bubbly. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a deeper flavor, you can caramelize the onions slowly over low heat for up to 30 minutes.
  • The balsamic vinegar adds a subtle tang that enhances the sweetness of the onions.
  • Use Gruyère cheese for a classic French onion flavor, but Swiss cheese is a good alternative.
  • Ensure oven-safe bowls are used to broil the soup safely.
  • Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: French Onion Soup, Beef Short Ribs, Caramelized Onions, Comfort Food, French Cuisine

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