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French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup

A cozy and heartwarming soup made with tender beef short ribs, caramelized onions, and topped with toasted baguette and Gruyère cheese.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: French
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs beef short ribs
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups beef broth homemade or store-bought
  • 1 cup dry white wine optional
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon thyme dried or fresh
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Baguette slices, toasted for topping
  • Gruyère cheese, shredded for topping

Method
 

Searing the Short Ribs
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, add your short ribs and sear them on all sides until beautifully brown, about 10 minutes. Remove the ribs and set them aside.
Caramelizing the Onions
  1. In the same pot, add your sliced onions. Stir frequently for about 20-25 minutes until they are caramelized to a lovely golden brown.
Building the Flavor
  1. Once your onions are caramelized, stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Then, pour in the dry white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release all the tasty bits. Next, add the beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
Let It Simmer
  1. Return the short ribs to the pot. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 2-3 hours.
Toasting Bread and Cheese
  1. While the soup simmers, toast your baguette slices until they are golden brown. When you're ready to serve, ladle the soup into bowls, top with a slice of toasted baguette, and add a generous handful of Gruyère cheese.
Broil to Perfection
  1. If you're feeling fancy, place the bowls under a broiler until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.

Notes

Make Ahead: This soup is even better the next day! Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezer-Friendly: Portion extras into containers and freeze. Non-Alcoholic Option: Substitute wine with an extra cup of beef broth.