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Amazing beef barley soup: 8-hour slow cooker dream

beef barley soup
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This is the Ultimate Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup, perfect for chilly days. We use a simple method to make sure the beef is tender and the soup is rich and comforting. You will love making this easy, flavorful soup in your kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 8 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 cup pearl barley, rinsed
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season the beef cubes generously with salt and pepper.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer the seared beef to your slow cooker.
  3. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the slow cooker over the beef.
  4. Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes.
  5. Stir in the rinsed barley, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce.
  6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the beef is very tender and the barley is chewy.
  7. Remove and discard the bay leaves before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • Searing the beef first builds deep flavor in the final soup. Do not skip this step.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water and stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • This soup freezes well for easy meal prepping later.
  • You can substitute vegetable broth for beef broth if you prefer a slightly lighter flavor, though the richness will change.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://whiskdaily.com/hearty-slow-cooker-beef-barley-soup/