Here’s a detailed recipe for French Onion Short Rib Soup with Gruyère Toast, combining tender beef short ribs with caramelized onions in a rich broth, topped with cheesy Gruyère toast.
Author:ksuur
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:3 hours
Total Time:3 hours 20 minutes
Yield:61x
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
2 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
1 bay leaf
1 cup dry white wine (such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
6 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Gruyère Toast:
1 French baguette, sliced
2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 garlic clove, halved
Instructions
Prepare the Short Ribs:
Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper.
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Sear the short ribs on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Caramelize the Onions:
In the same pot, add the sliced onions. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes until they are caramelized and golden brown.
Add the minced garlic and thyme; cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Deglaze and Combine:
Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
Stir in the beef broth, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Return the short ribs to the pot and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
Simmer:
Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for about 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the short ribs are tender and the meat is falling off the bone.
Shred the Meat:
Remove the short ribs from the soup. Discard the bones and any excess fat, then shred the meat using two forks.
Return the shredded meat to the pot and discard the bay leaf.
Prepare the Gruyère Toast:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread the softened butter on one side of each baguette slice. Place them on a baking sheet, buttered side up.
Lightly rub the tops with the halved garlic clove for added flavor.
Top each slice with a generous amount of shredded Gruyère cheese.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve:
Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
Top each bowl with a piece of the cheesy Gruyère toast.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, consider adding a splash of tamari or low-sodium soy sauce to the broth.
This soup can be made a day in advance; the flavors often develop and intensify overnight.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.