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Hearty Beef and Barley Soup

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A cozy, comforting soup featuring tender beef chunks, chewy pearl barley, and fresh vegetables, perfect for warming up on chilly days. This easy 5-ingredient recipe comes together in under an hour and is a family favorite.

Ingredients

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  • 1.5 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup pearl barley
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 medium celery stalks, diced
  • 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • Optional: fresh parsley or thyme for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse 3/4 cup pearl barley under cold water to remove excess starch. Dice 2 medium carrots and 2 celery stalks into small, bite-sized pieces. Cut 1.5 lbs beef chuck roast into 1-inch cubes, trimming off excess fat if desired.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes in batches and brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium and add diced carrots and celery to the pot. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until they start to soften and release their aroma.
  4. Return the seared beef cubes to the pot. Pour in 6 cups of low-sodium beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to lift any browned bits.
  5. Stir in the rinsed pearl barley. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and barley is plump.
  6. Taste the soup and add salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Sprinkle chopped parsley or thyme if using. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Sear the beef properly to develop flavor. Do not overcook barley to avoid mushiness; it should be tender but chewy. Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness. If soup is too thick, add hot water or broth to loosen. For gluten-free, substitute barley with quinoa or millet.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef soup, barley soup, hearty soup, comfort food, easy soup, 5-ingredient soup, cozy meal

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/hearty-beef-and-barley-soup-recipe-easy-5-ingredient-cozy-comfort-meal/