Slow Cooker [or not] Beef and Barley Soup
with baguette
![Slow Cooker [or not] Beef and Barley Soup](https://cooksmarts.imgix.net/meal_photos/1464/20200302_Beef_and_Barley_Soup-NM-1.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.0.2&auto=format)
We're taking this classic, hearty soup and giving you the option to cook it all day in the slow cooker.
Smarts: Don't want to use the slow cooker? Not to worry. We've got you covered with stovetop instructions as well.
Ingredients
- Carrots - 6 oz, chopped
- Celery - 3 stalks, sliced
- Onions, medium - 1, chopped
- Garlic - 3 cloves, chopped
- Beef, stew meat - 1 lb (usually sold pre-chopped or cube it yourself; sub boneless beef chuck roast, cubed)
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
- Tomato paste - 3 Tbsp
- Thyme, dried - 1/2 tsp
- Red pepper flakes (opt) - 1/4 tsp
- Pearl barley - 1/3 cup
- Stock, beef - 5 cups
- Bay leaves - 2
- Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp
- Baguette, small - 1
- Parsley (opt) - for topping, chopped
Nutrition Facts
Prep
- Carrots / Celery / Onions / Garlic - Prep as directed and combine. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Dry and sear beef - Pat beef dry with paper towels. Season with some salt and pepper. Heat a skillet with oil over medium-high heat and add beef. Sear beef on all sides until deep golden brown, ~8 minutes total. (It doesn’t need to be cooked all the way through, but browning beef well will help to develop flavor and hold its shape while simmering.)
- Cook soup - Combine carrots, celery, onions, garlic, seared beef, tomato paste, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, barley, stock, and bay leaves in the bowl of a slow cooker. Slow cook until beef is tender, 5 to 6 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high. If you want to leave this all day, cook the soup on low for 6 hours and then let the soup hold on the warm setting for up to 2 additional hours. (If you don’t want to use the slow cooker, saute the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic in some cooking oil in a Dutch oven. Add the beef, tomato paste, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, barley, stock, and bay leaves. Simmer on low, covered, until beef is tender, ~45 minutes.)
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Make
- When you’re ready to serve, stir lemon juice into the soup. Remove and discard bay leaves. Taste and season with some more salt and pepper.
- If you’d like the baguette warm, heat it up in the oven.
- Serve soup with some parsley (if using) over top. Enjoy with baguette on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Reviews
Ratings
Most Helpful
Forgot to sear beef but it still was delicious. Used better than bouillon beef for the stock which gave it a great flavor.
1 Helpful34 reviews
Very delicious! Would make again. One of the best beef stew recipes I’ve ever made by far! Used finely chopped beef from HEB and only 4 cups of stock. Makes more than 4 servings. The barley soaked up the liquid and made it thick and rich. :)
0 HelpfulGF version, not a fan. It lacked the thickness and starch of the barley. I would recommend trying potatoes instead of Quinoa.
0 Helpful