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Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

Close-up of a steaming bowl of rich beef barley soup with tender chunks of beef and plump barley grains.
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Make this comforting and flavorful Beef Barley Soup in your slow cooker. It features tender beef chunks and chewy pearl barley in a rich broth, perfect for a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup frozen peas (added at the end)

Instructions

  1. Season the beef cubes evenly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Remove the browned beef and set it aside.
  3. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. Transfer the browned beef, sautéed vegetables, beef broth, rinsed pearl barley, diced tomatoes (with juice), Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf to your slow cooker.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3.5 to 4 hours, until the beef is very tender and the barley is cooked through.
  6. About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the frozen peas. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
  7. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper if needed before serving this wholesome family meal.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, you can sear the beef in the slow cooker insert if it is stovetop safe, or use a Dutch oven before transferring ingredients.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • This recipe is great for meal prep; it reheats well the next day.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/beef-barley-soup-recipe/