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Beef Barley Soup Recipe

Beef Barley Soup Recipe

Hearty beef barley soup made with tender beef,
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 serving
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 500 g beef chuck or stew beef cut into chunks
  • ¾ cup pearl barley rinsed well
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 6 –7 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional but Nice
  • Fresh parsley
  • Tiny squeeze of lemon juice

Equipment

  • Large heavy pot or Dutch oven
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board.
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Ladle

Method
 

Step 1: Brown the Beef
  1. Heat olive oil in your pot over medium heat.
  2. Add beef in batches. Let it sit. Let it brown. Don’t poke it too much.
  3. This step smells… reassuring.
  4. Season lightly. Remove beef and set aside.
Step 2: The Quiet Base
  1. Same pot. No washing.
  2. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Stir slowly. Scrape the bottom.
  3. Cook until soft. Not rushed.
  4. Add garlic. Stir for 30 seconds.
  5. Pause. Smell. Smile a little.
Step 3: Tomato Paste (Small but Important)
  1. Add tomato paste.
  2. Cook it until it darkens slightly.
  3. This is one of those steps people skip. Don’t.
Step 4: Everything Comes Together
  1. Put the beef back in.
  2. Add barley, bay leaf, thyme, and broth.
  3. Stir gently. Bring to a soft boil, then lower heat.
  4. Now let it simmer. Uncovered.
Step 5: Let Time Work
  1. Simmer for 45–60 minutes.
  2. Stir sometimes. Not too often.
  3. Check the liquid. Add water if needed.
  4. The beef will soften.
  5. The barley will bloom.
  6. The soup will thicken naturally.
  7. Taste near the end. Adjust salt.
  8. Taste again. Always again.
Step 6: Finish Softly
  1. Remove bay leaf.
  2. Add parsley if you like.
  3. A small squeeze of lemon? Optional—but nice.
  4. Turn off heat. Let it sit for a few minutes.
  5. This waiting matters more than you think.