Description
Beef and Barley Stew is a hearty, comforting dish made with tender beef, nutritious barley, and vegetables simmered in a savory broth. It’s the perfect meal for cold weather, offering rich flavors and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) beef stew meat, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional, for added color and nutrition)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches, ensuring all sides are seared. Remove the beef and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Return the beef to the pot and stir in the barley, beef broth, water, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1-1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender and the barley is fully cooked. Stir occasionally, adding more water or broth if necessary to keep the stew from becoming too thick.
- In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the frozen peas, if using, and continue to simmer until heated through.
- Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can brown the beef in a bit of butter instead of olive oil.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash some of the barley and vegetables once cooked.
- This stew can be made ahead of time and will taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
- If you like a little kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: beef barley stew, classic stew, hearty soup, beef stew recipe, comfort food