Savory Short Rib French Onion Soup

Savory Short Rib French Onion Soup with Gruyère Toast Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Short Ribs:

• 2 lbs beef short ribs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional, or use extra beef broth)
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves

For the French Onion Soup:

• 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, or use additional broth)
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Gruyère Toast:

• 1 baguette, sliced into thick rounds
• 1 1/2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Short Ribs

1. Sear the Short Ribs:
   • Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
   • Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper.
   • In a large oven-safe 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 the short ribs and set aside.
2. Cook the Short Ribs:
   • To the same pot, add the quartered onion, garlic cloves, thyme, and bay leaves.
   • Pour in the red wine and beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
   • Return the short ribs to the pot, cover, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the short ribs are tender and fall off the bone.
3. Shred the Meat:
   • Once the short ribs are done, remove them from the pot and shred the meat with two forks. Discard the bones and any large pieces of fat. Set the meat aside and strain the braising liquid, reserving it for the soup.

Step 2: Make the French Onion Soup

1. Caramelize the Onions:
   • In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add the sliced onions and sugar, and cook, stirring frequently, for about 30-40 minutes, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. Be patient; this step builds a lot of flavor.
2. Deglaze with Wine:
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
   • Pour in the white wine (if using), and deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits at the bottom. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the wine has reduced.
3. Add Broth and Seasonings:
   • Add the beef broth, reserved braising liquid from the short ribs, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Stir well.
   • Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Add the shredded short rib meat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Prepare the Gruyère Toast

1. Preheat the Broiler:
   • Set your oven’s broiler on high.
2. Make the Toast:
   • Drizzle the baguette slices with olive oil and toast them under the broiler for about 1-2 minutes, until they’re lightly golden.
   • Remove from the oven, top each slice with grated Gruyère cheese, and return to the broiler. Broil for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 4: Serve

1. Assemble the Soup:
   • Ladle the short rib French onion soup into bowls.
   • Top each bowl with a couple of Gruyère toasts, and garnish with additional thyme or parsley if desired.

Tips:

• Make Ahead: You can make the short ribs and caramelize the onions in advance. Store them in the fridge and reheat when ready to assemble the soup.
• Cheese Alternatives: If you don’t have Gruyère, you can use Swiss cheese or a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan for the toasts.
• No Wine? If you prefer not to use wine, simply substitute it with more beef broth for the deglazing and braising steps.

Cooking Time:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 1/2 hours (including braising time)
• Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Nutritional Information (per serving, about 6 servings):

• Calories: ~600 kcal
• Protein: ~35g
• Fat: ~40g
• Carbohydrates: ~30g
• Fiber: ~3g

This Savory Short Rib French Onion Soup with Gruyère Toast is a rich, hearty dish that’s perfect for special occasions or cozy evenings. The tender short ribs and deeply caramelized onions create an unforgettable flavor, while the cheesy Gruyère toast adds the perfect finishing touch.