Description
Hearty beef barley soup delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, bringing robust flavors and wholesome ingredients into one perfect bowl. Rich meat, tender vegetables, and pearl barley combine for a satisfying meal that warms souls and delights hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound beef stew meat (chuck or round cuts)
Grains and Starch:
- 1 cup pearl barley
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion
- 3 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
Liquids:
- 4 cups beef broth
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 cup red wine
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
Cooking Fats:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sear beef cubes in a heated pot with olive oil, creating a golden-brown exterior and developing deep flavor profiles.
- Transfer browned meat to a plate, allowing the pot to retain caramelized residue for enhanced depth.
- Sauté aromatic vegetables in the same pot until they become translucent and release their natural sweetness.
- Reintroduce beef to the pot, combining with robust beef broth and fragrant herbs for a rich foundation.
- Simmer the mixture at low heat for approximately 60 minutes, allowing meat to become tender and flavors to meld together.
- Incorporate barley and continue cooking for an additional 35-45 minutes until grains are soft and liquid reaches a hearty consistency.
- Discard herb bundle, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the overall flavor profile.
- Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Tenderize tough cuts by choosing chuck or round steak and letting them marinate overnight with a splash of vinegar or wine to break down muscle fibers.
- Select pearl barley for a classic texture that absorbs flavors beautifully and provides a hearty, satisfying bite without becoming mushy.
- Consider swapping beef with mushrooms or lentils for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, comforting profile of the original soup.
- Enhance depth of flavor by deglazing the pot with red wine after browning the beef, capturing those delicious caramelized bits stuck to the bottom.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 289 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 285 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg