Best Ever Beef and Barley Soup
Introduction:
Cozy up on a chilly night with a steaming bowl of our Best Ever Beef and Barley Soup. This comforting dish features tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and wholesome pearl barley, all simmered together in a rich and flavorful broth. With its robust flavors and satisfying texture, this soup is sure to become a family favorite. So grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience.
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups carrots, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups celery, thinly sliced
2/3 cup onion, chopped
1 package pre-sliced mushrooms (8-ounce)
2 tablespoons beef base (different from beef broth, it’s a concentrated flavor base)
8-10 cups water
1 large bay leaf
1 cup uncooked pearl barley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic
Directions:
Brown Beef: In a non-stick frying pan, brown the pieces of chuck roast until they are golden brown, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking.
Transfer to Crockpot: Remove the browned beef from the pan and place it in a slow cooker (crockpot). Add thinly sliced carrots, celery, chopped onion, pre-sliced mushrooms, beef base, water, minced garlic, and a large bay leaf to the slow cooker.
Initial Cooking: Set the slow cooker to high heat and cook for one hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Add Barley: After one hour, add the uncooked pearl barley to the slow cooker, stirring gently to combine all the ingredients.
Continue Cooking: Turn the slow cooker down to low heat and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender and the beef is cooked through. This may take several hours, depending on your slow cooker.
Season and Serve: Once the soup is fully cooked, season with salt and black pepper to taste. Discard the bay leaf before serving.
Nutritional Information:
(Per Serving – 1 cup)
Calories: 280 kcal
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 45mg
Sodium: 650mg
Total Carbohydrates: 25g
Dietary Fiber: 5g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 20g
Here are a few tips to enhance the experience even further:
- Enhance the Beef Flavor: Consider searing the beef in the same pot you’ll be using for the soup instead of a non-stick frying pan. This will allow you to capture all those flavorful browned bits at the bottom of the pot, adding extra depth to your broth.
- Experiment with Herbs: While bay leaf is a classic addition to beef and barley soup, you can also experiment with other herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or even a dash of dried oregano for added flavor complexity.
- Customize Vegetables: Don’t hesitate to customize the vegetable mix according to your preferences or what you have on hand. For example, adding diced potatoes or parsnips can provide extra heartiness to the soup.
- Be Patient with Barley: Pearl barley typically takes a bit longer to cook than other grains, so be patient and allow it to simmer until it’s tender and has absorbed some of the flavors from the broth.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Before serving, garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives. Not only does it add a pop of color, but it also lends a fresh contrast to the rich flavors of the soup.
- Make Ahead: This soup is great for making ahead of time. In fact, it often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had more time to meld together. Just reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Enjoy your comforting bowl of Best Ever Beef and Barley Soup! 🍲❤️
Conclusion:
Warm your soul and satisfy your hunger with a bowl of our Best Ever Beef and Barley Soup. This hearty dish combines tender beef, wholesome vegetables, and nutritious barley in a rich and flavorful broth. Whether enjoyed as a comforting meal on a chilly night or served as a hearty lunch, this soup is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. So gather your ingredients, fire up the slow cooker, and let the savory aromas fill your kitchen as you prepare to enjoy this delicious homemade soup. Bon appétit! 🍲❤️