Description
A luxurious twist on the classic French onion soup, this French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup is rich, savory, and perfect for chilly nights. Tender short ribs melt into a deeply flavorful broth filled with caramelized onions, herbs, and a touch of red wine. Top with melted Gruyère and crusty bread for the ultimate cozy dish.
Ingredients
2 ½ pounds beef short ribs (boneless or bone-in)
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups beef broth
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1 ½ cups Gruyère cheese, shredded (optional)
Toasted bread, for serving (optional)
Instructions
1. Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear short ribs until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. Add butter to the same pot, then add onions. Cook on low heat, stirring often, until onions are deeply caramelized (about 40–45 minutes).
3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in red wine to deglaze, scraping up browned bits from the pot.
4. Return short ribs to the pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2 to 2.5 hours until meat is very tender.
5. Remove short ribs and shred the meat, discarding any bones or excess fat. Return shredded beef to the soup and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with shredded Gruyère on top, and toasted bread on the side or broiled directly over the soup for a classic French onion finish.
Notes
For best flavor, don’t skip the 45-minute onion caramelization step—it’s essential for that deep, sweet base.
Bone-in short ribs work great too—just remember to remove bones before serving.
If broiling cheese on top, use oven-safe bowls and place under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: beef soup, French onion soup, short rib recipes