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Cozy Beef and Barley Soup

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A hearty and comforting soup featuring tender beef chuck and pearl barley simmered with fresh vegetables and herbs, perfect for cozy nights and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (optional)
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse pearl barley under cold water. Chop carrots, celery, and onion. Mince garlic. Cut beef chuck into 1-inch cubes. Prepare herbs and broth.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes in batches for 5-7 minutes per batch until caramelized on all sides. Transfer beef to a plate.
  3. In the same pot, add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring often, until softened and fragrant, about 6 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
  4. Return browned beef to the pot. Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes if using. Add rinsed barley, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and barley is cooked but still slightly chewy. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving.

Notes

Brown the beef in batches to avoid steaming and ensure caramelization. Rinse barley to prevent gummy texture. Simmer gently to keep beef tender and barley chewy. Adjust broth if soup thickens too much. Can substitute quinoa or millet for gluten-free option. Slow cooker adaptation possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef barley soup, hearty soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, slow simmer soup, family dinner, cozy soup

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/cozy-beef-and-barley-soup-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-hearty-comfort/