Warm up your soul with a bowl of delicious Beef & Barley Soup cooked to perfection in a Crock-Pot. Made with tender chuck roast, hearty vegetables, and nutritious pearl barley, this soup is a satisfying meal-in-a-bowl that’s perfect for chilly days. Follow the simple steps below to create a comforting dish that will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 cups carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cups celery, thinly sliced
- 2/3 cup onion, chopped
- 10-12 mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons beef base (different from beef broth)
- 8-10 cups water
- 1 or 2 large bay leaves
- 1 cup uncooked pearl barley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic
Directions:
- In a skillet, brown the pieces of chuck roast until they are well-browned on all sides, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking.
- Once the beef is browned, transfer it to the Crock-Pot. Add the thinly sliced carrots, celery, chopped onion, sliced mushrooms, beef base, water, garlic, and bay leaf to the Crock-Pot.
- Cook the soup on high heat for 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the vegetables to soften.
- After 2 hours, add the uncooked pearl barley to the Crock-Pot. Turn the heat down to low and continue cooking until the vegetables and beef are tender, and the barley is cooked through. This may take an additional 4-6 hours, depending on your Crock-Pot.
- Once the soup is cooked to perfection, season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to ensure that the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the soup.
- Before serving, remove and discard the bay leaf from the soup.
- Ladle the hot Beef & Barley Soup into bowls and serve immediately, garnishing with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Conclusion: With its rich flavors and hearty ingredients, this Beef & Barley Soup is a comforting meal that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out. Whether enjoyed as a satisfying lunch or a cozy dinner, this soup is perfect for any occasion. Plus, cooking it in the Crock-Pot makes it incredibly easy to prepare—simply set it and forget it until it’s time to enjoy a delicious homemade meal. Give this recipe a try and savor every spoonful of this comforting soup!