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Beef Barley Soup

A cozy and hearty beef barley soup, perfect for warming up on a chilly day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb beef (chuck roast or stew meat)
  • 1 cup barley (pearl or hulled)
  • 2 carrots (diced)
  • 2 celery stalks (diced)
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 6 cups beef broth (or stock)
  • 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: Dice the beef into bite-sized cubes, chop the vegetables, and measure out your spices.
  2. Sauté the beef in a large pot with olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper, until browned (3-4 minutes on each side). Remove and set aside.
  3. Build the flavor base by adding onions to the same pot. Cook until translucent, then add garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for another 3-4 minutes.
  4. Bring it together by returning the beef to the pot and adding beef broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Add barley, thyme, bay leaves, and seasoning; stir.
  5. Simmer the soup for about 90 minutes on low heat until the beef is tender and barley is cooked.
  6. Finishing touches: Adjust seasoning, and stir in fresh herbs if desired before serving.

Notes

For variations, substitute beef with mushrooms or lentils for a vegetarian option, or add spicy jalapeños for heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef soup, barley soup, winter comfort food, hearty soup, American cuisine