Hearty Beef and Barley Soup: A Comforting and Nutritious Meal

Ingredients

• 1 pound cube-cut beef stew meat
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
• 2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Preparation

Start by heating 1 tsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat and sear until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally. Remove the meat and set it aside.

In the same skillet, sauté the sliced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and chopped celery until tender, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a large pot. Add the pearl barley, beef broth, diced tomatoes, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, black pepper, water, and bay leaf. Stir in the browned beef and bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the barley is tender and the beef is fully cooked.

Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy this hearty, flavorful, and nutritious soup that’s perfect for any season!

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (15 minutes prep, 1 hour cook)

Servings: 6 | Calories: 350 per serving