Description

Indulge in the rich, savory depths of this French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup, a hearty upgrade to the classic French onion favorite. Tender, fall-apart beef short ribs slow-simmered in a deeply caramelized onion broth create a comfort food experience that’s perfect for chilly evenings or gourmet dinner ideas. Topped with toasted baguette slices loaded with bubbling Gruyère cheese, this is the kind of easy dinner that tastes like a restaurant classic—only better. Great for meal prep, cozy nights, or when you just need something soul-warming and satisfying. It fits right into your rotation of quick dinner recipes, fall food ideas, and easy recipe collections.

Ingredients

3 lbs bone-in beef short ribs

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

4 large yellow onions thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves minced

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)

1/2 cup dry white wine

8 cups beef broth

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 French baguette sliced into 1-inch rounds

2 cups Gruyère cheese grated

Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Pat the short ribs dry and season with salt and pepper. Sear in hot olive oil until browned on all sides. Set aside.

2. In the same pot, add butter and sliced onions. Cook slowly for 30–40 minutes until deeply caramelized, stirring often. Add garlic near the end.

3. Deglaze the pot with wine, scraping the brown bits. Reduce by half.

4. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, and the short ribs. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 2.5–3 hours.

5. Remove the ribs, discard bones and shred the meat. Return it to the pot with balsamic vinegar. Simmer for another 10 minutes.

6. Preheat oven to 375°F. Toast baguette slices on both sides. Top with Gruyère cheese and broil until melted and bubbly.

7. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with cheesy bread, and broil again if desired. Garnish with herbs and serve.

Notes

Let the onions caramelize fully—this process brings out the sweetness and complexity essential to the dish.

Freshly grated Gruyère melts better and gives a more luxurious finish than pre-packaged versions.

If preparing ahead, make the soup and cheesy bread separately. Reheat and assemble before serving for best texture.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooking, Stovetop
Cuisine: French-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 560
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: beef short rib soup, French onion soup with meat, cheesy soup, easy dinner idea, fall recipes