Warm up your kitchen and your soul with a hearty bowl of Crock Pot Beef Barley Soup! This comforting American classic is the perfect antidote to chilly evenings, combining tender beef, wholesome barley, and a medley of fresh vegetables into a deliciously rich broth. With just 15 minutes of prep time and the magic of slow cooking, you can set it and forget it while the flavors meld together beautifully. Ready to impress your family or guests with minimal effort? Dive into our easy-to-follow recipe and discover how to create a meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef stew meat, cubed
- 1 cup barley
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all vegetables by washing, peeling, and chopping: slice carrots into thin rounds, chop celery and onion into uniform small pieces.
- Cut beef stew meat into consistent 1-inch cubes, ensuring they are roughly the same size for even cooking. Pat meat dry with paper towels to promote better browning.
- Season beef cubes generously with salt and pepper, optionally searing meat in a hot skillet with a little oil to develop deeper flavor before transferring to crock pot.
- Add prepared beef cubes to the crock pot, then layer chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, onion) on top of the meat.
- Pour beef broth over the meat and vegetables, ensuring all ingredients are mostly covered by liquid.
- Sprinkle dried bay leaf into the mixture and add rinsed barley, stirring gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Cover crock pot and set to low heat setting. Cook for 7-8 hours, allowing meat to become tender and flavors to meld completely.
- During last hour of cooking, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Remove bay leaf before serving. Ladle hot soup into bowls and serve with crusty bread if desired.
Tips
- Prep Ahead: To save time, you can chop all your vegetables the night before and store them in the refrigerator. This way, you can simply toss everything into the crock pot in the morning.
- Sear for Flavor: For an extra depth of flavor, consider searing the beef stew meat in a hot skillet before adding it to the crock pot. This step enhances the taste and adds a beautiful color to the meat.
- Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can reduce the amount of beef broth slightly or add more barley. For a thinner soup, simply add more broth during the last hour of cooking.
- Seasoning Matters: Don’t hesitate to taste and adjust the seasoning during the last hour of cooking. A little extra salt or pepper can elevate the flavors significantly.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve your soup with a side of crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a complete meal. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley for an extra touch of freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 45mg
