Description
French Onion Short Rib Soup is a rich and hearty twist on the classic French onion soup, combining tender slow-cooked short ribs with sweet caramelized onions, aromatic herbs, and a deeply flavorful beef broth. Topped with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère cheese, this comforting soup warms the soul and impresses at any meal occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 lbs well-marbled beef short ribs
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
- 6 cups high-quality beef broth
- 1 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
Herbs & Seasonings
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fat & Cooking Essentials
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for caramelizing onions)
Toppings
- Baguette slices, toasted
- 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Prepare and Brown the Short Ribs: Pat the short ribs dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat butter in a heavy pot over medium-high heat, then brown the ribs on all sides until beautifully caramelized. This step locks in flavor and creates a rich base for your soup.
- Caramelize the Onions: Slowly cook thinly sliced onions in butter and a splash of oil over medium-low heat until golden brown and deeply caramelized, which can take 45 minutes to an hour. Stir often to prevent burning and unlock their natural sweetness.
- Deglaze with White Wine: Pour in dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the pot. This adds acidity and depth, giving the soup a beautiful balance of flavors.
- Add Broth and Herbs: Return the browned short ribs to the pot along with beef broth, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 2 to 3 hours until meat is fork-tender and infused with rich flavor.
- Assemble and Bake with Cheese: Remove short ribs and shred the meat, discarding bones. Divide the soup into oven-safe bowls, top each with toasted baguette slices and generous amounts of grated Gruyère. Broil until the cheese bubbles and turns golden brown.
Notes
- Low and Slow Onions: Patience is key for perfect caramelized onions—don’t rush this step.
- Use Quality Beef Broth: The broth is the heart of this soup, so pick a rich and flavorful one or make your own.
- Trim Excess Fat: Skim fat from the broth during simmering for a cleaner, more balanced flavor.
- Toast Baguette Well: Dry, crisp bread holds up better under melted cheese and soaking soup.
- Don’t Skip the Cheese: Gruyère’s nutty, melty qualities complete the authentic French onion experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups soup with toppings)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: French Onion Soup, Short Rib Soup, Comfort Food, Slow Cooker, Caramelized Onions, Gruyère Cheese, Beef Broth, Hearty Soup
