Description
Enjoy this heartwarming and comforting Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup, packed with tender beef, hearty barley, and savory vegetables. It’s the perfect meal for a chilly day.
Ingredients
• 1.5 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1/2 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 ribs celery, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized beef chuck roast cubes and sear them on all sides until nicely browned.
2. Transfer the seared beef to your slow cooker. Add the rinsed pearl barley, diced yellow onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, minced garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and the bay leaf.
3. Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the barley is cooked through and plump.
4. Once the soup is done, remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and season generously with salt and black pepper as needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Ensure your beef and vegetables are cut into roughly uniform, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly and are easy to enjoy in every spoonful.
Rinsing your pearl barley helps to remove any excess starch, which can prevent the soup from becoming overly gummy.
For the most tender beef and well-melded flavors, cooking on the low setting of your slow cooker is generally preferred.
Always taste your soup before serving. Beef broth and Worcestershire sauce can vary in saltiness, so it’s important to adjust the salt and pepper at the end to suit your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-8 hours
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A