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Comforting French Onion Short Rib Stew Recipe for Cozy Nights

French Onion Short Rib Stew - featured image

A rich and hearty stew combining caramelized onions, tender short ribs, and a savory broth, perfect for chilly nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 23 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
  • 4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 23 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: Gruyère cheese for topping

Instructions

  1. Pat the short ribs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the short ribs on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until golden and caramelized. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
  4. Pour in 1 cup of red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen all the browned bits. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in 4 cups of beef broth, 2 bay leaves, and a few sprigs of thyme. Return the short ribs to the pot, ensuring they’re partially submerged.
  6. Cover the Dutch oven and reduce heat to low. Let the stew simmer gently for 2-3 hours, or until the short ribs are tender enough to fall apart. Check occasionally and skim off any excess fat.
  7. Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Optional: sprinkle Gruyère cheese on top and broil until bubbly.
  8. Serve hot with crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes.

Notes

[‘Caramelizing onions takes time; keep the heat low and stir often for the best flavor.’, ‘Use bone-in short ribs for extra richness in the broth.’, ‘Skim excess fat off the top while the stew simmers for a cleaner taste.’, ‘The stew tastes even better if you let it sit for 30 minutes before serving.’, ‘Deglazing the pot with wine ensures maximum depth of flavor.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion stew, short rib stew, comfort food, winter recipe, hearty meal