There’s something incredibly comforting about a bowl of rich, hearty soup. If you’re someone who enjoys experimenting with different flavors in the kitchen but feels a little intimidated by complex recipes, French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup is the perfect dish for you! This delightful soup combines the deep, savory flavor of beef short ribs with the sweet, caramelized onions that are the hallmark of a French onion soup. The result is a luxurious and hearty bowl of soup that’s rich, savory, and full of complex flavors — all with minimal effort! And don’t worry, this recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for beginners who want to impress their family or guests with minimal stress in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your loved ones, or a special occasion, this soup is sure to be a hit.
So, grab your pot and let’s get started on creating this French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup that will make you feel like a professional chef, even if you’re just getting started in the kitchen.
📝 Ingredients
For the Soup Base:
- 2 lbs beef short ribs (bone-in)
- 2 large onions (thinly sliced)
- 4 cups beef broth (preferably low-sodium)
- 2 cups water
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (for added depth of flavor)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (for a savory finish)
- 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
For the Garnish:
- 1/2 baguette (cut into thick slices, toasted)
- 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
🍽️ Step-by-Step Recipe for French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup
1️⃣ Preparing the Beef Short Ribs
The first step in making a rich and flavorful soup is properly preparing the beef short ribs. These ribs will add a beautiful depth of flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture to the soup. Here’s how to get them ready:
- Brown the Beef Short Ribs:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium-high heat.
- While the oil heats up, season the beef short ribs with salt and pepper.
- Once the oil is hot, place the short ribs in the pot in a single layer. Allow them to sear for about 4-5 minutes per side until they’re beautifully browned.
- Remove the short ribs from the pot and set them aside. This searing process is crucial as it locks in the juices and adds a depth of flavor to the broth.
- Sauté the Aromatics:
- In the same pot, add 2 large onions that have been thinly sliced.
- Cook the onions over medium heat for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the onions to become soft and caramelized, which brings out their natural sweetness and adds richness to the soup. This process might take a bit of time, but it’s essential for achieving that classic French onion flavor.
- After the onions are nicely caramelized, add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2️⃣ Building the Soup
Now that the beef and onions are ready, it’s time to add all the flavorful components that will make this soup rich and comforting.
- Add the Liquids and Seasonings:
- Return the beef short ribs to the pot with the caramelized onions.
- Pour in 4 cups of beef broth and 2 cups of water. These will be the base of your soup, giving it the perfect balance of flavor and richness.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (for a touch of acidity and sweetness) and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce (for umami).
- Add 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme (or dried thyme) and 2 bay leaves. These herbs will infuse the soup with their earthy fragrance as it simmers.
- Simmer the Soup:
- Bring the soup to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef short ribs are incredibly tender and falling off the bone. The longer you simmer, the more flavorful and rich the broth will become.
3️⃣ Shred the Beef and Final Seasoning
Once the beef short ribs are tender and cooked through, it’s time to pull everything together:
- Shred the Beef:
- Remove the beef short ribs from the pot and set them aside to cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, use two forks to shred the meat from the bones. Discard the bones and return the shredded beef to the pot.
- Adjust the Seasoning:
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. You can also add a little more Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar if you prefer a bit more depth of flavor.
4️⃣ Toast the Baguette and Prepare for the Broil
While the soup is simmering and the beef is shredding, it’s a great time to prepare the garnish — the toasted baguette slices and melted cheese that will take this soup to the next level!
- Prepare the Baguette:
- Slice the baguette into thick pieces (about 1-inch slices). Toast them in a toaster or on a baking sheet in the oven until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
- You want these slices to be sturdy enough to hold up when placed in the soup but still soft on the inside to soak up the delicious broth.
- Grate the Cheese:
- While the bread is toasting, grate about 1 1/2 cups of Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese). The cheese will melt perfectly and form a delicious, gooey topping for the soup.
5️⃣ Assemble and Serve the Soup
The final step is to assemble the soup and top it with that irresistible cheesy, toasty goodness!
- Ladle the Soup into Bowls:
- Spoon the French onion beef short rib soup into individual serving bowls. Make sure to include plenty of shredded beef and caramelized onions in each serving.
- Top with Toast and Cheese:
- Place the toasted baguette slices on top of the soup, ensuring they float on the surface.
- Generously sprinkle the grated Gruyère cheese over the bread.
- Broil to Perfection:
- Place the soup bowls under the broiler in your oven for about 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown. Watch closely to make sure it doesn’t burn.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Remove the soup from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
⏳ Prep Time and Cook Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours (for simmering)
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
This dish requires a bit of time, but the effort is absolutely worth it. The slow-simmered short ribs, rich broth, and melted cheese make it feel like you spent hours in the kitchen, but the simplicity of the recipe makes it very beginner-friendly.
🔢 Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~400-450 kcal (depending on portion size and ingredients)
- Protein: ~30g
- Fat: ~20g (from the beef and cheese)
- Carbohydrates: ~30g (mainly from the baguette)
This soup offers a great balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, making it a filling and satisfying meal.
Why This French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup is Perfect for Beginners
This recipe is perfect for beginners because it doesn’t require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. Even though it may seem like an advanced recipe, the steps are simple, and the slow cooking process does most of the work. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can create a comforting, flavorful dish that feels gourmet. Plus, the French onion beef short rib soup can easily be made in large batches and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months, making it a fantastic make-ahead option.
💕 A Final Thought
Thank you for following along with this recipe! I truly believe this French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup is something everyone should try — especially beginners. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for colder weather. Make sure to keep following for more delicious and beginner-friendly recipes that are as easy as they are delightful.
Enjoy cooking and let the rich aromas of this soup fill your kitchen! Thank you for being part of my culinary journey! Happy cooking! ❤️
