French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup

Here’s a rich, comforting French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup recipe — deep caramelized onion flavor with tender, fall-off-the-bone beef 🍲🥩🧅

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🥣 French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup

🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the Soup:

• 2 lbs beef short ribs

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 4 large onions, thinly sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp sugar (to help caramelize onions)

• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

• 6 cups beef broth

• 1 cup dry red wine (optional, can replace with extra broth)

• 2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)

• 1–2 bay leaves

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional, adds depth)

For Topping:

• 4–6 slices baguette or French bread, toasted

• 1–2 cups Gruyère or Swiss cheese, shredded

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🔪 Instructions

1️⃣ Brown the Short Ribs

1. Season short ribs with salt and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.

3. Sear ribs on all sides until browned, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

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2️⃣ Caramelize the Onions

1. In the same pot, add sliced onions and a pinch of salt.

2. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized, about 30–40 minutes.

3. Sprinkle sugar halfway through to aid caramelization.

4. Add garlic and cook 1–2 more minutes.

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3️⃣ Build the Soup

1. Sprinkle flour over onions and stir 1–2 minutes to form a roux.

2. Deglaze with red wine, scraping up browned bits.

3. Add beef broth, thyme, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, and browned short ribs.

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4️⃣ Simmer

• Cover and simmer gently for 2–2.5 hours until short ribs are tender and falling off the bone.

• Remove ribs, shred the meat, and return to soup. Discard bones.

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5️⃣ Serve with Cheese Toasts

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Top toasted baguette slices with shredded Gruyère.

3. Broil until cheese melts and bubbles.

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6️⃣ Plate

• Ladle soup into bowls and float cheese toasts on top (or serve alongside).

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🟢 Tips

• Extra flavor: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar at the end to brighten the soup.

• Make ahead: Soup tastes even better the next day after flavors meld.

• Thicker soup: Mash a few onions in the pot or add 1–2 tsp cornstarch slurry to thicken.

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🔁 Variations

• Slow cooker version: Brown ribs and caramelize onions, then transfer to a slow cooker with liquids for 6–8 hours on low.

• French onion twist: Sprinkle extra Gruyère on top before serving and broil directly in oven-safe bowls.

• Vegetable boost: Add mushrooms or carrots for added heartiness.

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If you want, I can make a “shortcut 1-hour French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup” version that still delivers tender beef and caramelized onion flavor but uses a pressure cooker or instant pot.