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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup: Easy Homemade Recipe

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This cozy slow cooker beef and barley soup is a hearty, soul-warming meal that fills your house with a comforting aroma. With tender beef, plump barley, and savory vegetables, it’s the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dinner for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear the beef for 2-3 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  3. Add the tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until darkened and fragrant.
  4. Transfer to the slow cooker: Add the sautéed vegetables and browned beef (with any juices) to the slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
  5. Add the barley: Rinse the pearl barley under cold water and add it to the slow cooker. Stir to distribute evenly.
  6. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the barley is plump and tender.
  7. Finish and season: About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh parsley just before serving. Remove the bay leaf.
  8. Serve and enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Optionally, serve with crusty bread or a side salad.

Notes

For best flavor, don’t skip browning the beef. Season in layers for depth. If soup thickens too much during storage, add extra broth or water when reheating. This soup tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef and barley soup, beef barley soup, easy beef soup, cozy soup, slow cooker soup, hearty soup, winter soup

Find it online: https://islatable.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-and-barley-soup-easy-homemade-recipe/