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French Onion Short Rib Soup

French Onion Short Rib Soup
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French Onion Short Rib Soup is a comforting, rich dish that elevates traditional French onion soup by adding tender, slow-cooked short ribs and deeply caramelized onions. This hearty soup boasts a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors with a crispy baguette and melted Gruyère cheese topping, ideal for chilly evenings or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 2 lbs meaty, bone-in short ribs

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves

Liquids & Fats

  • 4 cups high-quality beef broth
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp oil (for searing ribs)

Bread & Cheese Topping

  • 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
  • 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Brown the Short Ribs: Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat and sear the ribs until a deep brown crust forms on all sides. This step builds the rich base flavor for the soup.
  2. Caramelize the Onions: In the same pan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until they become a deep golden brown and their natural sugars develop fully, creating signature sweetness and complexity. This process may take 30–45 minutes.
  3. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all browned bits from the bottom. Add the beef broth, thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and browned short ribs back into the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 3–4 hours until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.
  4. Remove Meat and Reduce Soup: Carefully remove the short ribs from the broth. Discard bones and shred the meat. Return shredded meat to the soup, then simmer uncovered for an additional 20–30 minutes to thicken and concentrate flavors.
  5. Prepare the Toppings and Broil: Preheat the broiler. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with crispy toasted baguette slices and a generous handful of grated Gruyère cheese. Place under the broiler and cook until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 2–4 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.

Notes

  • Be patient when caramelizing onions; slow cooking unlocks maximum sweetness.
  • Always brown the short ribs well to develop deep, rich flavors.
  • Skim fat from the broth after simmering for a cleaner flavor profile.
  • Use day-old baguette slices so they absorb soup without becoming soggy.
  • Broil cheese topping carefully and watch closely to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: French Onion Soup, Short Rib Soup, Comfort Food, Caramelized Onions, Slow Cooked Beef, Gruyère, Winter Soup, Hearty Soup

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/french-onion-short-rib-soup/