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French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup: A Rich and Hearty Delight

  • Author: isabil
  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Short Ribs:

  • 2 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf

For the French Onion Base:

  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For Serving:

  • 4 slices French baguette, toasted
  • 1 cup gruyère cheese, shredded
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Step 1: Sear the Short Ribs

  1. Season short ribs with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  3. Sear the ribs for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned.
  4. Remove from the pot and set aside.

Step 2: Deglaze and Braise the Short Ribs

  1. Pour red wine into the pot and scrape up the browned bits.
  2. Add garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf.
  3. Return the short ribs to the pot.
  4. Cover and let simmer on low heat for 2.5-3 hours, or until ribs are fall-apart tender.

Step 3: Caramelize the Onions

  1. In a separate pan, melt butter with olive oil over medium-low heat.
  2. Add onions, salt, and sugar, and cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown.
  3. Deglaze with white wine, then add balsamic vinegar and black pepper.

Step 4: Combine Everything

  1. Remove short ribs from the broth and shred the meat.
  2. Strain the broth to remove any excess fat and discard the bay leaf.
  3. Add caramelized onions to the broth and stir well.
  4. Return the shredded short rib meat to the soup.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

  1. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls.
  2. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted baguette and sprinkle with gruyère cheese.
  3. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

✅ Use high-quality beef short ribs for the best flavor and tenderness.
✅ Cook onions low and slow to achieve a rich, caramelized flavor.
✅ Deglaze the pan properly to get all the flavorful bits into your soup.
✅ Strain the broth to remove excess fat and achieve a clear, rich soup.
✅ Broil just before serving to get that perfect cheesy crust.

  • Prep Time: 20minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours

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Find it online: https://recipesfresh.net/french-onion-beef-short-rib-soup/