Beef Barley Soup – A Hearty, Flavorful Comfort in a Bowl!
This **Beef Barley Soup** is packed with tender beef, wholesome veggies, and hearty barley simmered in a rich, savory broth. Perfect for chilly days, this soup can be made quickly with stew meat or simmered low and slow for deep, comforting flavors.
### **Ingredients:**
– 1 lb stew meat or 1.5 lbs chuck roast, cut into bite-sized pieces
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 large onion, diced
– 3 large carrots, sliced
– 2 celery stalks, sliced
– 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
– 1 cup frozen corn
– 8 cups beef broth
– 1/2 cup pearl barley
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 bay leaf
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for added depth)
### **Instructions:**
1. **Brown the Beef**:
– In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then add it to the pot in batches to brown on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
2. **Sauté the Vegetables**:
– In the same pot, add diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
3. **Add the Remaining Ingredients**:
– Return the browned beef to the pot. Add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, corn, barley, thyme, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce if using. Stir well to combine.
4. **Simmer the Soup**:
– Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour if using stew meat, or 2-3 hours if using chuck roast, until the beef and barley are tender.
5. **Adjust Seasoning**:
– Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup, adjusting salt and pepper as needed.
6. **Serve**:
– Ladle the **Beef Barley Soup** into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread for a complete meal!
### **Serve**:
Enjoy this **Beef Barley Soup** with a side of garlic bread or a green salad for a comforting, hearty meal!
### **Prep & Cook Time**: 1 hour (or up to 3 hours for slow simmering)
### **Calories**: Approximately 300 per serving
This **Beef Barley Soup** is rich, satisfying, and full of warmth – the perfect bowl of comfort for any cold day!
