If cozy comfort had a flavor, it would be this French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup. Rich, savory, and deeply aromatic, this soup marries the intense umami of slow-braised beef short ribs with the sweet, golden depths of caramelized onions. Finished with a toasted baguette slice and bubbling, melted Gruyère, every bite feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.

What makes this dish so special is its layers of flavor, developed over hours of gentle cooking. The beef becomes fall-apart tender, soaking in every note of the broth, while the onions add a natural sweetness that balances beautifully with the bone broth and herbs. It’s a luxurious take on a classic, perfect for special occasions or any time you crave a bowl of something truly satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup

This isn’t your average soup. It’s hearty enough to be the main course, and elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. The depth of flavor from the slow-braised ribs combined with the iconic French onion topping makes this dish unforgettable. Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder that only gets better with time.

What Cut of Short Ribs Works Best?

Boneless or bone-in short ribs both work beautifully. Bone-in adds extra depth to the broth as it simmers, while boneless can save a bit of prep time. Either way, look for well-marbled pieces—fat equals flavor, and you’ll want every bit of richness in this comforting bowl.

Ingredients for the French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup

Each ingredient in this soup plays a vital role in building its incredible depth of flavor:

Beef Short Ribs – The star of the show, providing rich, tender meat and incredible beefy flavor.
Yellow Onions – Slowly caramelized, they bring out the sweet base that defines French onion soup.
Garlic – Adds a subtle, aromatic background note.
Beef Bone Broth – Deepens the richness of the soup and enhances the meaty base.
Red Wine – Deglazes the pan and adds a layer of bold, earthy flavor.
Bay Leaves & Thyme – These herbs infuse the broth with classic savory warmth.
Butter & Olive Oil – Used to caramelize the onions to golden perfection.
Salt & Black Pepper – Essential seasoning throughout the dish.
Baguette Slices – Toasted and topped with cheese for the signature French onion finish.
Gruyère Cheese – Melts beautifully and adds that gooey, golden topping everyone loves.

How To Make the French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup

Step 1: Sear the Short Ribs

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper, then sear them on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions

Lower the heat and add butter, then the sliced onions. Cook slowly, stirring often, until onions are deep golden brown—about 30–40 minutes.

Step 3: Add Garlic and Deglaze

Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant. Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.

Step 4: Build the Broth

Return the short ribs to the pot, add beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Slow Cook

Cover and simmer on low for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is fall-apart tender.

Step 6: Toast and Top

Toast the baguette slices under the broiler. Ladle soup into bowls, top with toast, sprinkle with Gruyère, and broil until bubbly and golden.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Sprinkle with fresh herbs if desired and serve hot. The soup is even better the next day!

Serving and Storing This French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup

This soup is incredibly satisfying as a main course, especially when paired with a crisp salad or roasted vegetables. It serves about 6 people generously. The cheesy baguette topping turns it into a meal on its own!

To store, let the soup cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making it even tastier the next day. To reheat, warm slowly on the stove and top with fresh toasted bread and cheese.

You can also freeze the soup (without the bread and cheese topping) for up to 3 months.

What to Serve With French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup?

Arugula & Parmesan Salad

The peppery bite of arugula with a light lemon vinaigrette balances the richness of the soup.

Roasted Root Vegetables

Carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes roasted with olive oil and rosemary make a comforting side.

Garlic Green Beans

Crisp-tender green beans sautéed with garlic and lemon zest provide a fresh contrast.

Crusty Bread with Butter

Because who doesn’t want extra bread to soak up the broth?

Red Wine

A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah echoes the depth of the broth.

Herb-Roasted Potatoes

Perfectly crispy and seasoned, they turn this into a hearty cold-weather meal.

Pickled Vegetables

The acidity from pickled onions or cucumbers cuts the richness just right.

Simple Apple Slaw

Light and refreshing, apple slaw adds crunch and a touch of sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes! This soup actually tastes even better the next day. Just reheat gently on the stove and toast fresh baguette slices before serving.

Can I use another cut of beef?
Chuck roast or beef shanks are good alternatives if you can’t find short ribs, but short ribs offer the richest flavor and most tender texture.

What if I don’t have Gruyère?
You can substitute with Swiss, provolone, or even mozzarella, though Gruyère gives the most authentic taste.

Can this be made in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. After searing the meat and caramelizing the onions, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.

How do I store leftovers with the bread and cheese?
It’s best to store the soup and toppings separately. Only top and broil the portions you plan to serve immediately.

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest soup or dinner board so you can revisit it during chilly nights.
Let me know in the comments if you made any twists on the classic! Did you go bone-in? Add mushrooms? I love hearing your creative takes.

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Conclusion

This French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup is the ultimate comfort food. Slow-cooked to perfection with deep caramelized flavors, it takes everything you love about French onion soup and makes it heartier. It’s a one-pot meal that’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests. Once you make it, it’ll become your go-to cold weather favorite.

French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup

Author: Livia Scott
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This French Onion Beef Short Rib Soup takes cozy comfort to the next level. Tender, slow-cooked short ribs melt into a deeply flavorful caramelized onion broth, crowned with cheesy toasted baguette slices. Perfect for chilly nights, dinner parties, or a soul-warming meal at home, this dish delivers richness, elegance, and hearty satisfaction in every spoonful. It’s the ultimate upgrade on a classic French onion soup—ideal for easy dinner ideas, one-pot recipes, and comfort food lovers.

Instructions

1. Season beef short ribs with salt and pepper, then sear in olive oil over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

2. Lower heat and add butter, then sliced onions. Cook slowly, stirring often, for 30–40 minutes until deeply caramelized.

3. Stir in garlic until fragrant. Deglaze pan with red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.

4. Return short ribs to the pot. Add beef bone broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a simmer.

5. Cover and simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours, until beef is fall-apart tender. Remove short ribs, shred meat, and return to pot. Discard bones and herbs.

6. Toast baguette slices under a broiler. Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls.

7. Top each bowl with toast and a generous amount of Gruyère. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbling.

8. Serve hot, optionally topped with fresh herbs.

Notes

Use bone-in short ribs for extra depth of flavor in the broth.

If you don’t have oven-safe bowls, melt the cheese separately on the toast and place it on top before serving.

The soup base freezes beautifully—just add fresh toast and cheese when reheating.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop, Broiler Finish
Cuisine: French-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
Calories: 520
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: beef short rib soup, French onion soup, comfort food, one-pot dinner, winter dinner ideas