Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pounds beef short ribs, bone-in or boneless
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups beef broth or stock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Baguette slices or crusty bread for serving
- Grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Season the beef short ribs with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the ribs on all sides until browned and caramelized, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add sliced onions and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until deeply golden, about 30-40 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last 5 minutes of caramelizing.
- Return the seared short ribs to the pot with onions. Add beef broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the beef is tender and falling off the bone. Skim impurities during cooking for clarity.
- While simmering, preheat your oven broiler. Slice the baguette and toast until golden brown. Optionally, top with grated cheese and broil until bubbly and melted.
- Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning. Ladle hot soup into bowls, top with toasted cheesy bread, and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.
Notes
- This soup improves in flavor when made a day ahead; reheat gently on stovetop.
- For added richness, try adding mushrooms or carrots during simmering.
- You can use boneless beef short ribs for easier serving.
- Experiment with different cheeses or adding a splash of red wine during cooking for extra depth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop, Broiling
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Main Course
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 Kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1120mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 125mg