Description
Rich beef barley soup from grandma’s kitchen brings hearty comfort on cold winter nights. Savory beef, tender vegetables, and pearl barley create a nourishing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds beef stew meat (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
Liquid, Grains, and Seasonings:
- 8 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sear the beef chunks in a hot pot with olive oil over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and caramelized. Transfer meat to a separate plate.
- In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until vegetables soften and become translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Reintroduce browned beef to the pot and pour in beef broth. Incorporate pearl barley, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring liquid to a rolling boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow soup to simmer gently for 50-55 minutes. The goal is tenderizing meat and ensuring barley becomes plump and soft.
- During the final 10-15 minutes of cooking, fold in mushrooms, frozen peas, or green beans. Enhance depth by stirring in Worcestershire sauce for complexity.
- Once meat is fork-tender and barley is fully cooked, discard bay leaves. Ladle steaming soup into serving bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately while hot, offering a comforting and hearty meal perfect for cool evenings.
Notes
- Select high-quality, well-marbled beef stew meat for maximum tenderness and rich flavor in the soup.
- Brown the meat thoroughly to develop a deep, caramelized exterior that adds complex flavor layers to the dish.
- Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Consider using low-sodium broth to control salt content and allow for personalized seasoning.
- Allow the soup to simmer slowly, which helps tenderize the meat and develop deeper, more integrated flavors.
- Experiment with herb combinations like adding a pinch of dried oregano or replacing fresh herbs with dried versions during winter months.
- Make the soup more protein-packed by adding extra beans or lentils for vegetarian-friendly adaptations.
- Freeze leftover soup in portion-sized containers for quick, satisfying meals during busy weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg