Best Beef & Barley Soup Recipe – How To Make Beef & Barley Soup

A warm, hearty, and delicious beef and barley soup is perfect for those cold winter nights. This classic comfort food is a staple in many households, and its versatility allows you to create a meal that caters to your specific tastes. Made with tender chunks of beef, nutritious vegetables and wholesome barley, this soup is not only flavorful but also incredibly satisfying. In this article, we will discuss the best recipe for making a mouth-watering beef and barley soup.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1 cup pearl barley
– 4 cups beef broth
– 2 cups water
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 2 medium carrots, diced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
– 1 bay leaf
– Salt & pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley for garnishing (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides, around
3 to 5 minutes per side. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add another tablespoon of oil if necessary. Add the onions, carrots, and celery and cook until softened and slightly browned, roughly 6 to 7 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for an additional minute while stirring continuously.
4. Return the beef to the pot along with its juices. Pour in the beef broth and water. Bring the mixture to a boil before lowering it down to a simmer.
5. Rinse the barley under cold water before adding it to the pot along with the canned tomatoes and bay leaf.
6. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Stir the contents well and cover the pot with a lid.
7. Allow the soup to simmer gently for approximately 1 hour, or until the beef and barley are tender. Make sure to stir occasionally to ensure that nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.
8. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the bay leaf, as it is not edible.
9. Serve your beef and barley soup in bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy this meal with some crusty bread or a side salad for a complete dining experience.
This beef and barley soup recipe can be customized to suit your personal taste; simply increase or decrease ingredient amounts according to your preferences, or experiment with different vegetables, spices, or herbs. A slow cooker can also be used if you prefer a more hands-off cooking method. Regardless of how you prepare it, this beef and barley soup is a delicious meal that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends on any chilly day.