Beef and Barley Soup (Printer-friendly)

A comforting bowl with tender beef, pearl barley, and vegetables simmered in rich beef broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Grains

02 - 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 1 large onion, chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 cup potatoes, peeled and diced
08 - 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
09 - 1 cup frozen peas
10 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained (optional)

→ Liquids

11 - 8 cups beef broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

12 - 2 bay leaves
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes and brown on all sides for approximately 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
04 - Return beef to the pot. Stir in potatoes, barley, diced tomatoes if using, beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, and parsley.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add peas, season with salt and pepper, and simmer uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes until barley and beef are tender.
07 - Remove bay leaves. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pearl barley creates this magical texture that feels like a warm hug from the inside out, especially when youre battling winter blues.
  • Everything cooks in one pot, which means more time enjoying your evening and less time scrubbing dishes with cold hands.
02 -
  • Never rush the initial beef browning stage, as I did once when hungry guests were already at the door, resulting in pale meat and a lackluster broth.
  • Adding a splash of soy sauce creates an umami depth that most people cant identify but makes them reach for seconds without knowing why.
03 -
  • If you find yourself without beef broth, use chicken broth with a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for a remarkably similar depth of flavor.
  • Letting the soup rest off-heat for 15 minutes before serving allows the flavors to settle and intensify, something I discovered when distracted by an unexpected phone call.
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