Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that transforms humble ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience. This French Onion Short Rib Soup is a rich, deeply flavored masterpiece that combines the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of braised short ribs with the sweet complexity of caramelized onions and the luxurious touch of melted Gruyère. It’s more than a soup—it’s a celebration of slow cooking and intense flavor development.
Ingredients
Short Ribs
- 900g (2 lbs) bone-in short ribs
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika (optional)
Onion Soup Base
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) dry white wine or beef broth
- 2 liters (8 cups) high-quality beef broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Gruyère Toast
- 4 baguette slices, 1-inch thick
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Prepare the Short Ribs:
- Preheat oven to 163°C (325°F)
- Season short ribs generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika
- In a large Dutch oven, sear ribs for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown
- Remove ribs and set aside
- Caramelize the Onions:
- In the same pot, melt butter
- Add sliced onions and sugar
- Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized
- Add minced garlic, cook for 1 minute
- Build the Soup Base:
- Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up browned bits
- Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and thyme
- Return short ribs to the pot
- Cover and braise in the oven for 2.5-3 hours until meat is falling-apart tender
- Finish the Soup:
- Remove short ribs, shred meat
- Return shredded meat to the soup
- Season with salt and pepper to taste
- Prepare Gruyère Toast:
- Toast baguette slices
- Top with freshly shredded Gruyère
- Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly
Cooking Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Servings: 4-6
Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 450-500
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fat: 32g
Why This Soup is a Nutritional Powerhouse
This French Onion Short Rib Soup is more than just a meal—it’s a nutritional symphony. The slow-braised short ribs provide high-quality protein and essential minerals like iron and zinc. Caramelized onions offer powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, while the bone broth base supports joint health and gut function. The Gruyère cheese adds calcium and provides a rich, satisfying flavor that makes this soup both nourishing and indulgent.
Pro Tip: For an even more intense flavor, prepare the soup a day ahead. The flavors will deepen and meld, creating an even more remarkable dining experience.