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French Onion Short Rib Soup with Gruyère Toast

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This French Onion Short Rib Soup with Gruyère toast is the ultimate comfort-meets-elegance dish. Tender braised beef short ribs, sweet caramelized onions, and aromatic herbs create a rich, savory broth, finished with golden, bubbly Gruyère-topped French bread. A cozy, slow-cooked classic elevated with bold flavors and hearty textures.

Ingredients

  • For the Soup:
  • 6 tbsp salted butter
  • 4 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 shallots, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
  • Red chili flakes, to taste
  • 6–8 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • 2 cups baby carrots
  • For the Gruyère Toast:
  • 6 slices French bread
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese

Instructions

  1. Prep the Onions: Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). In a Dutch oven, melt butter and sauté onions for 10 minutes until softened and starting to caramelize. Season with black pepper.
  2. Add Aromatics: Stir in shallots, garlic, thyme, sage, and red chili flakes. Cook 2 more minutes.
  3. Add Short Ribs & Broth: Place short ribs in the pot. Pour in chicken broth (start with 6 cups), tamari, bay leaves, and star anise if using.
  4. Braise: Cover and bake for 2½–3 hours until ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender. Add baby carrots during the last 1–2 hours.
  5. Finish the Soup: Remove from oven. Discard bay leaves and star anise. Shred beef, discard bones, and return meat to soup. Simmer gently on stovetop if needed.
  6. Make Gruyère Toast: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toast bread slices for 10 minutes. Switch to broil, top with Gruyère, and broil 2–3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  7. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, top with a Gruyère toast slice, and garnish with pepper or thyme.

Notes

  • Use boneless short ribs for easier shredding.
  • Deglaze onions with white wine for extra depth.
  • Swap in Swiss or cheddar cheese for variation.
  • Add sautéed mushrooms for earthy flavor.
  • Use beef broth for a deeper, heartier soup.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/french-onion-short-rib-soup-with-gruyere-toast/