Description
Hearty beef barley soup brings rustic comfort straight from grandmother’s kitchen, combining tender meat, wholesome grains, and rich broth. Warm spoons of savory goodness invite you to savor each delicious, nourishing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound stewing beef
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups water
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 1 onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 3 garlic cloves
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the beef by coating generously with salt, pepper, and flour in a ziplock bag until evenly distributed. The flour will help create a golden crust during searing.
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven at medium-high temperature. Sear beef pieces in batches for approximately 3 minutes per side, ensuring each piece develops a deep brown color without overcrowding the pan.
- Remove browned beef and set aside. In the same pot, add additional olive oil if needed and sauté chopped onions, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Incorporate minced garlic, oregano, and tomato paste into the vegetable mixture. Stir for 30 seconds to release aromatic flavors. Deglaze the pot with beef broth, scraping up caramelized bits from the bottom.
- Return seared beef to the pot. Pour remaining beef broth and water, then season with additional salt and pepper. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until beef becomes tender.
- Add barley to the pot, stirring to distribute evenly. Continue cooking, covered, for an additional 25-30 minutes. Monitor liquid levels, adding water if the soup becomes too thick.
- Once barley is fully cooked and soup reaches a rich, hearty consistency, remove from heat. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve immediately with crusty bread for a complete, warming meal.
Notes
- Flour your beef generously to create a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in rich flavor and adds delightful texture to each tender bite.
- Sear beef in batches to prevent overcrowding, ensuring each piece develops a deep, caramelized exterior that enhances the soup’s overall depth.
- Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and a melt-in-your-mouth experience that elevates the entire dish.
- Swap beef for mushrooms and vegetable broth to transform this into a hearty vegetarian soup that maintains incredible richness and satisfying substance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg