Beef Barley Soup
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5.0
303 reviews
Excellent
Beef Barley Soup
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Invest 20 minutes of prep to max out the flavor in this hearty slow cooker Beef Barley Soup. It's made with tender beef, chewy barley, and all your favorite soup veggies. No need to simmer, stir, and fuss; my easy crockpot soup practically makes itself.
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Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes (see note 1)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
- 2 carrots peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 celery rib sliced (about ½ cup)
- 8 ounces mushrooms halved (see note 2)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or ½ tablespoon fresh thyme
- 2 cups beef broth (see note 3)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup pearled barley (see note 4)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat beef dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering.
- Add the beef and let cook, without stirring, until brown on one side, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir beef and continue cooking until brown all over, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Transfer beef to the slow cooker, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
- Add onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the saucepan and sauté until the vegetables have softened and the mushrooms have released most of their liquid, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add to the slow cooker.
- Add beef broth, chicken broth, water, barley, bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 7 to 8 hours. Remove bay leaf and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Boneless beef chuck or stew meat: Chuck roast and stew meat are not only inexpensive, but also have a lot of fat marbled within the meat; an asset here. The longer cook time called for in the slow cooker recipe allows the fat to break down into meltingly tender chunks of beef and a fat that melts into the rich, full-bodied broth. Names can vary, so look for any of these beef cuts: boneless beef chuck roast, chuck pot roast, chuck shoulder, bottom eye, round roast, rump roast, top round, round tip roast, English roast, or pot roast.
- Mushrooms: Cremini mushrooms, white button mushrooms, or baby bellas; choose any one or a mix of all. If they're already small, no need to slice the 'shrooms in half.
- Beef broth and chicken broth: I use refrigerated beef base to make broth. Similar to bullion cubes, beef base is highly concentrated beef stock. You can find it in powder or paste forms. I love “Better than Bouillon” brand, a paste which is widely available and tastes delicious. For the chicken broth, buy your favorite store-bought brand in boxes or cans, or make your own chicken broth if you like.
- Pearled barley: Also known as pearl barley, this grain is whole barley minus its fibrous outer hull. Pearl barley gets its shiny name because after the hull is removed, the grains are polished to remove part or all of the bran layer (making it quicker and easier to cook).
- Yield: This Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup makes 8 entree-sized servings. Paired with a salad and warm bread or a half sandwich, this makes for a satisfying and soul-feeding meal.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1 serving
Calories
190kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
14g
(5%)
Protein
14g
(28%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
39mg
(13%)
Sodium
502mg
(21%)
Potassium
474mg
(14%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
2565IU
(51%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
35mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving | |
| Calories | 190kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 39mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 502mg | 21% |
| Potassium | 474mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 2565IU | 51% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 35mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
303 reviews
Excellent
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