Description
Rich, deeply flavored French onion beef short rib soup delivers classic comfort with a luxurious twist. Caramelized onions and tender braised short ribs merge into a soul-warming bowl that brings hearty European culinary traditions directly to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound beef short ribs
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Liquids, Seasonings, and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices French bread
- 1 cup Swiss or Gruyere cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare a robust cooking vessel and heat oil until shimmering. Generously season short ribs with salt and pepper, then meticulously sear each side for 4-5 minutes, creating a rich golden-brown crust. Transfer meat to a separate plate.
- In the same pot, introduce sliced onions and caramelize over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop deep, complex flavors. Incorporate minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Carefully return seared short ribs to the pot. Pour in beef broth, red wine vinegar, and selected seasonings. Cover and simmer at low temperature for 1.5-2 hours, allowing meat to become supremely tender and ingredients to meld harmoniously.
- Gently shred cooked meat and reintegrate into the rich soup base. Transfer soup to oven-safe bowls, strategically layer with crusty bread slices and grated cheese. Position under broiler at 500°F for 2-3 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown blanket.
Notes
- Select bone-in short ribs for deeper flavor and more tender meat texture during slow cooking process.
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia for natural caramelization and richer, sweeter taste profile in the soup.
- Consider removing excess fat from short ribs before searing to prevent greasy soup consistency and reduce overall calories.
- Try different cheese varieties like Gruyère or Comté for authentic French-style melting topping that complements beef’s richness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg