Description
This rich and comforting French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup combines tender, slow-simmered beef short ribs with deeply caramelized onions, infused with aromatic herbs and balsamic vinegar. Topped with toasted French bread and melted Swiss or Gruyère cheese, it’s a perfect hearty meal that balances robust flavors with a golden, cheesy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- 4 slices of French bread
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Season the beef short ribs with salt and pepper and sear them until browned on all sides, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove ribs and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the thinly sliced onions and cook them, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and golden brown, about 15–20 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic with the caramelized onions and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Return the seared short ribs to the pot. Add 6 cups of beef broth, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme), 1 bay leaf, and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and falling off the bone.
- While the soup simmers, preheat your oven’s broiler. Place the 4 slices of French bread on a baking sheet and toast them lightly under the broiler until just golden, about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Once the ribs are tender, remove them from the pot, shred the meat, and discard the bones. Return the shredded beef to the soup and stir to combine.
- Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of the toasted French bread and sprinkle evenly with shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese.
- Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and serve the soup immediately.
Notes
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Use homemade beef broth for richer flavor.
- For a vegetarian option, replace beef with mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup, beef soup, French onion soup