Welcome, food lovers! Today, we’re diving into a bowl of pure comfort with our Savory Beef Barley Soup recipe. This hearty dish is perfect for those chilly evenings when you need something warm and satisfying. Let’s get cooking!
What You’ll Need
Gather these ingredients to create your delicious soup:
- 1 pound beef stew meat, cubed
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 8 cups beef broth
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Let’s Get Cooking!
Follow these simple steps to create your soup:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add beef cubes and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Toss in onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes, and add bay leaves.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Add barley and continue to simmer for 45 minutes or until barley is tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
Tips for the Perfect Soup
Want to make your soup even better? Try these tips:
- For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine when browning the beef.
- Toss in some fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic twist.
- Make a big batch and freeze portions for quick meals later.
Nutrition Facts
This soup isn’t just tasty; it’s good for you too! Here’s a quick nutritional breakdown per serving:
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Fat: 12g
Wrap-Up
There you have it, folks! A delicious, hearty Beef Barley Soup that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s perfect for meal prep, freezes well, and tastes even better the next day. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Happy cooking, and don’t forget to share this recipe with your soup-loving friends!