Description
Hearty beef barley soup brings rustic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, packed with tender meat and nutritious vegetables. Warm spices and rich broth create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound beef stew meat (or beef chuck roast, cubed)
Vegetables:
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 ribs celery, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 6 cups low sodium beef broth or low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- Chopped fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
- Warm a spacious cooking vessel and introduce olive oil over moderate temperature. Carefully sear beef chunks until golden-brown on each side, infusing with aromatic salt and pepper seasoning.
- Incorporate finely diced onions, celery, and carrots into the pot. Gently sauté until vegetables soften and release their subtle flavors.
- Introduce sliced cremini mushrooms, minced garlic, and fragrant thyme. Allow ingredients to meld and release their enticing aromas.
- Incorporate tomato paste, stirring thoroughly to develop a rich, deep flavor profile.
- Stream in savory broth and Worcestershire sauce, complementing with aromatic bay leaves. Allow liquid to reach a robust boil.
- Reduce cooking temperature to a gentle simmer, letting the mixture develop complex flavors for approximately 45 minutes.
- Fold in thoroughly rinsed pearl barley, continuing the slow simmer for an additional 30 minutes until grains become perfectly tender and plump.
- Extract bay leaves and carefully adjust seasoning to enhance the soup’s overall taste experience.
- Ladle the hearty soup into warm bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Prefer low-sodium broth to control salt levels and make recipe more heart-healthy.
- Trim visible fat from beef before cooking to reduce overall calories and create leaner soup.
- Use grass-fed beef for enhanced nutrient profile and richer flavor compared to conventional meat.
- Consider adding more vegetables like diced turnips or sweet potatoes for extra nutrition and texture variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg