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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup – Easy One-Pot Recipe

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This hearty and comforting slow cooker beef and barley soup is a one-pot wonder that delivers deep, rich flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays, it’s a budget-friendly meal that tastes like a warm hug.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900g) beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1 cup (200g) pearled barley, rinsed
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef chuck dry with paper towels and cut into 2-inch chunks. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks in a single layer for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 4-5 minutes until onion is translucent. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute more.
  4. Pour ½ cup beef broth into the skillet and scrape up browned bits. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker.
  5. Add rinsed barley, remaining broth, thyme, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until beef is tender and shreds easily.
  7. Remove beef chunks, shred with two forks, and return to the slow cooker. Discard bay leaves.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

For a thicker soup, mash a few cooked barley grains against the side of the pot. Leftovers taste even better the next day. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef and barley soup, easy beef soup, one-pot soup, hearty soup, comfort food, winter soup

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-and-barley-soup-easy-one-pot-recipe/