Name: Beef Barley Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb beef stew meat; 6 cups beef broth; 1/2 cup pearl barley; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 bay leaf; 2 tablespoons olive oil; Salt and black pepper to taste

Description

A hearty and nourishing beef barley soup featuring tender beef stew meat, wholesome pearl barley, and a medley of vegetables simmered in a rich, savory beef broth. This comforting soup is perfect for a filling meal on chilly days.

Ingredients

Meat and Broth

1 lb beef stew meat
6 cups beef broth

Grains

1/2 cup pearl barley

Vegetables and Herbs

1 small onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf

Oils and Seasonings

2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Heat the olive oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat to prepare for browning the beef.
Brown the beef: Add the beef stew meat to the pot and cook until all sides are nicely browned, which helps develop deep flavor in the soup.
Sauté the vegetables: Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
Add grains and broth: Stir in the pearl barley, then pour in the 6 cups of beef broth. Add the dried thyme and bay leaf to infuse the broth with herbal notes.
Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let it simmer gently for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the barley is tender and the beef is cooked through.
Season and finish: Remove the bay leaf from the pot. Taste the soup and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
Serve warm: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, perfect as a hearty, comforting meal.

Notes

For added earthiness and depth of flavor, add sliced mushrooms along with the other vegetables.
Adjust soup thickness by adding more beef broth or water if it gets too thick during simmering.
The soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld and deepen after resting overnight.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American