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A close-up shot of French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup in a rustic bowl, showcasing the tender braised beef and rich broth.
FL Recipes

French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Meal

This French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup combines slow-braised, tender short ribs with a rich, savory caramelized onion broth, all topped with a classic bubbly Gruyère cheese crouton. An unforgettable, restaurant-quality meal perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 750

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 4 large yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup dry red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 8 cups beef broth low-sodium
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 baguette cut into 1-inch thick slices
  • 2 cups Gruyère cheese shredded

Equipment

  • 1 Large Dutch Oven
  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • 6 Oven-Safe Bowls

Method
 

  1. Pat short ribs dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear ribs on all sides until deeply browned. Remove from the pot and set aside.
  2. Reduce heat to medium, add sliced onions to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes until deeply golden brown and sweet. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in red wine to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce wine by half. Stir in flour and cook for one minute. Gradually whisk in beef broth. Add thyme, bay leaf, and seared short ribs back to the pot.
  4. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 2.5-3 hours, until beef is tender. Remove ribs, shred the meat, and return it to the soup. Discard bones. Season soup to taste.
  5. Preheat your broiler. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast lightly under the broiler on both sides.
  6. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top with toasted baguette slices and a generous amount of shredded Gruyère cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 750kcalProtein: 50gFat: 45gFiber: 4g

Notes

Pro Tip: Don't rush the onion caramelization process; it is the most important step for developing the soup's signature sweet and savory flavor base.
Make Ahead: The soup base can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stove and prepare the cheesy croutons just before serving for the best results.
Keyword Beef Short Ribs,comfort food,french onion soup

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