How do you make French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup from scratch?

Start by searing beef short ribs until golden brown, then caramelize onions in butter until rich and golden. Add garlic, thyme, and beef broth before simmering for 3 hours until the ribs are tender. Finish with shredded beef, top with Gruyère toast, and broil for a bubbly, cheesy crust.

Can I make French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup in a slow cooker?

Yes! After searing the ribs and caramelizing the onions, transfer everything to your slow cooker. Add broth, herbs, and seasonings. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender and infused with flavor.

What makes this the best French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup?

This recipe stands out for its deep caramelization , bone-in short ribs , and rich, slow-simmered broth . The balance of sweetness from the onions and savoriness from the beef creates a restaurant-quality flavor right at home.

Can I make this French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup without wine?

Absolutely. This recipe is made without any wine or alcohol , relying instead on caramelized onions, herbs, and slow-cooked beef broth to develop its deep, savory flavor naturally.

French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup – The Best 2025 Comfort Recipe

Description

This French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup combines the deep caramelized sweetness of onions with tender, fall-apart short ribs simmered in a rich beef broth. Topped with golden Gruyère toast, it’s the perfect cozy comfort meal for any chilly evening.

Ingredients

Scale

3 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp unsalted butter
8 cups low-sodium beef broth
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme (or 3 sprigs fresh thyme)
2 bay leaves
1 loaf French baguette, sliced
2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste

1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)

Instructions

Sear the Short Ribs:
Pat short ribs dry, season with salt and pepper. In a heavy pot, heat olive oil and sear ribs on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
Caramelize the Onions:
In the same pot, melt butter and add onions. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, for 25–30 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized.
Add Aromatics:
Stir in garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
Build the Broth:
Pour in beef broth, scraping up brown bits. Return short ribs to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 2½–3 hours until ribs are fork-tender.
Shred the Beef:
Remove ribs, discard bones, and shred the meat. Return shredded beef to the pot and simmer for 15 more minutes. Adjust seasoning.
Make the Gruyère Toast:
Toast baguette slices, top with Gruyère, and broil until melted and golden.
Serve:
Ladle soup into bowls, top with cheese toast, and enjoy hot.

Notes

For a slow cooker version, sear the ribs and caramelize onions first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 5 hours.

You canStore leftovers use Swiss cheese instead of Gruyère for a lighter option.

in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Simmered / Slow-Cooked
Cuisine: French-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 940 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 26 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 115 mg

Keywords: French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup, French onion soup, short rib soup, Gruyère toast, comfort food, cozy dinner