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Beef Barley Soup

A hearty and comforting Beef Barley Soup, packed with tender beef, vegetables, and chewy barley. Perfect for a cold day!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 5
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs beef stew meat such as chuck beef or anything with marbling
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 0.5 cup chopped celery
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 6 cups water
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt or more to taste
  • 2 dry bay leaves
  • 0.67 cup dry pearled barley
  • fresh ground black pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Heat a large heavy pot or dutch oven on medium heat.
  2. Add oil and beef, season with a little salt and brown meat a few minutes.
  3. When meat is browned, add the carrots, onion, celery and garlic to the pot and give it a good stir.
  4. Add water, salt and bay leaves and bring to a boil.
  5. When boiling, reduce heat to low and cover.
  6. Simmer covered over low heat until the meat is very tender, about 1.5 - 2 hours.
  7. Add the barley, adjust the salt if needed and add fresh ground pepper.
  8. Simmer an additional 30-35 minutes, remove bay leaves and serve.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can substitute some or all of the water with beef broth. This soup is also great made in an Instant Pot!