Description
Hearty beef barley soup blends robust beef chunks with pearl barley in a rich, savory broth. Home cooks can savor this comforting classic that warms souls and satisfies hunger with its rustic, nourishing ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lbs (500 g) stewing beef, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes
- 8 cups (2 liters) beef broth or stock
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for caramelization. Season beef cuts, then sear each piece until a rich golden-brown crust develops, ensuring deep flavor infusion.
- Vegetable Foundation: Transfer browned meat to a plate, then introduce chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic into the pot. Sauté until vegetables soften and release aromatic essences, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Liquid Integration: Reintroduce seared beef to the vegetable medley, then pour in beef broth. Add barley, diced tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves, stirring to harmonize ingredients.
- Slow Transformation: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and allow flavors to meld for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally and monitoring meat tenderness and barley texture.
- Final Touches: During the last 20 minutes, incorporate sliced mushrooms if desired. Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to perfect the flavor profile.
- Serving: Ladle the hearty soup into warm bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve alongside crusty bread for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Optimize Meat Selection: Choose well-marbled chuck roast or stew meat with good fat content to ensure tenderness and rich flavor during long cooking process.
- Control Browning Temperature: Sear beef at medium-high heat, avoiding burning, to develop deep caramelization without creating bitter scorched notes in the final soup.
- Manage Barley Absorption: Add barley later in cooking process to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal texture – tender but still slightly chewy, absorbing broth without becoming mushy.
- Enhance Soup Depth: Consider adding a splash of red wine or worcestershire sauce during vegetable sautéing to introduce complex umami undertones and elevate overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg