Beef and Barley Soup

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Beef and Barley Soup: A Hearty Comfort in a Bowl

When the weather turns chilly, nothing warms the soul quite like a steaming bowl of beef and barley soup. This classic dish blends tender chunks of beef with wholesome barley, earthy vegetables, and savory broth, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Not only is it comforting, but it’s also nutritious and filling—a meal in itself. Here’s how to make it from scratch.

Ingredients

For 6–8 servings, you’ll need:

For the soup base:

• 1 lb (450 g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 6 cups beef broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
• 1 cup water (optional, for adjusting consistency)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for depth of flavor)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Optional vegetables for extra flavor:

• 1 cup diced potatoes
• 1 cup diced parsnips
• ½ cup frozen peas (add at the end)

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Brown the Beef

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the beef chunks in batches (avoid overcrowding) and sear until browned on all sides, about 5–7 minutes per batch.
3. Remove the browned beef and set aside.

Tip: Browning the beef adds a rich depth of flavor to the soup—don’t skip this step.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

1. In the same pot, reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery.
2. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. If needed, add a splash of beef broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom—these are packed with flavor.

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

1. Return the beef to the pot.
2. Add the beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Then reduce the heat to low and cover, letting it simmer for 45–60 minutes, or until the beef is tender.

Tip: Low and slow simmering allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

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