Ingredients
– 4 pounds beef short ribs
– Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
– 1 cup flour
– ¼ cup olive oil
– 1 large onion, diced
– 2 carrots, peeled and diced
– 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
– 1 cup red wine
– 14 ounces diced tomatoes (or equivalent from 1 can)
– 4 cups beef broth
– 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
– 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, minced
– 4 tablespoons butter for the caramelized onions
– 4 onions, thinly sliced for the caramelized onions
– 1 loaf French baguette, sliced and toasted to finish and serve
– 8 ounces Gruyere cheese (or a substitute), shredded to finish and serve
– 1 section fresh thyme to finish and serve
Instructions
1-Getting started with this French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup: begins with simple prep work that sets the stage for a flavorful outcome. First, prepare your ingredients by thinly slicing the onions and trimming excess fat from the beef short ribs, then gather your spices and liquids for smooth cooking.
2-In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat and add the onions, cooking them slowly while stirring frequently until they turn deeply caramelized this takes about 40 minutes and creates that signature sweet base. Once done, add the minced garlic and thyme, letting them cook for 1-2 minutes to release their aroma and blend into the mix.
3-Next, increase the heat and add the short ribs, searing them on all sides until they’re nicely browned for extra depth. Then, deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up those tasty browned bits from the bottom to enhance the broth’s richness.
4-Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, rosemary, and thyme, then bring everything to a boil before reducing the heat to simmer covered for 2-3 hours. This slow cooking makes the short ribs incredibly tender, turning the soup into a hearty delight.
5-After simmering, remove the short ribs, shred the meat from the bones, and return it to the pot. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and for variations, swap beef for plant-based proteins if needed. Finally, serve hot with toasted baguette slices, perhaps topped with melted cheese for that classic touch. For another easy meat-based recipe to try next, check out our honey garlic pork tenderloin for a similar comforting vibe.
Notes
❄️ Refrigerate soup overnight to enhance flavors and ease fat removal.
🌾 Dredge ribs in flour before browning to build crust and thicken broth.
🧅 Slowly caramelize onions to deepen sweetness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cooking time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Dish, Soup
- Method: Braising, Caramelizing, Broiling
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 708
- Sodium: 993mg
- Fat: 37g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 136mg
