Description
Hearty French onion beef short rib soup melds rich, caramelized onions with tender, slow-cooked beef in a luxurious broth. Melted gruyère cheese crowns this comforting classic, inviting you to savor each spoonful of deep, complex flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound beef short ribs
Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 6 cups beef broth
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Topping:
- 4 slices of French bread
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, creating a foundation for rich flavor development.
- Meticulously season beef short ribs with salt and pepper, then sear each side until a deep golden-brown crust forms, approximately 4-5 minutes per surface. Transfer ribs to a holding plate.
- Within the same pot, introduce sliced onions and allow them to slowly caramelize, stirring intermittently until they transform into a rich, amber-colored mixture, roughly 15-20 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic and sauté briefly until an aromatic fragrance permeates the kitchen, about 1-2 minutes.
- Reintroduce the seared short ribs to the pot, then flood with beef broth. Enhance with balsamic vinegar, thyme, bay leaf, and additional seasoning to taste.
- Elevate temperature to boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and allow the liquid to tenderize the meat for 1.5 to 2 hours at low heat.
- Activate oven broiler. Arrange French bread slices on a baking sheet and lightly toast until edges become crisp and golden.
- Extract ribs from the soup, carefully shred the meat, discarding bones. Fold the shredded meat back into the liquid.
- Transfer steaming soup into oven-safe bowls, crown each with a toasted bread slice, then generously blanket with shredded cheese.
- Position bowls under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts into a bubbly, golden landscape.
Notes
- Enhance meat tenderness by choosing well-marbled short ribs with good fat content for deeper flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Caramelize onions slowly and patiently to develop rich, sweet undertones that elevate the entire soup’s complexity and depth.
- Consider substituting gluten-free bread for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy this hearty comfort dish without compromising taste.
- Allow extra cooking time if using tougher meat cuts, as slow simmering breaks down connective tissues and transforms dense proteins into succulent, tender morsels.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg