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Cozy Beef and Barley Soup

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A rich, hearty, and comforting beef and barley soup that comes together in about 1 hour and 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 6 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed well
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional garnishes: fresh parsley, cracked red pepper flakes, fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: cut beef into 1-inch cubes, chop onion, carrots, and celery, rinse pearl barley under cold water until clear.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes in batches without overcrowding, then transfer to a bowl.
  3. In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until onions are translucent and carrots soften. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add browned beef, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
  6. Add rinsed barley, cover again, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until barley is tender and beef is fork-soft. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Remove bay leaves, season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Notes

Brown the beef properly to develop flavor. Rinse barley to remove excess starch and prevent mushiness. Simmer gently to keep beef tender and barley chewy. Add Worcestershire sauce for umami. Adjust thickness with broth or water if needed. For gluten-free, substitute barley with quinoa or steel-cut oats.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef soup, barley soup, comforting meal, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, hearty soup, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/cozy-beef-and-barley-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comforting-meal-ideas/