Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
This hearty, budget-friendly slow cooker beef barley soup is a comforting one-pot meal that fills the house with savory aroma and is perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into cubes Chuck or round work well
- 1 cup barley Pearled barley cooks faster
- 4 cups beef broth Use low-sodium if you'll taste and salt later
- 2 pieces carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 piece onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- to taste salt and pepper Adjust seasoning according to taste
- optional Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Place the beef, barley, beef broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf into the slow cooker.
- Season lightly with salt and a few grinds of black pepper; you can adjust salt at the end.
Cooking
- Cover and cook: on LOW for 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4 hours. The beef should be fork-tender and the barley plump.
- Turn off the cooker. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if using.
Notes
Best served with crusty bread or a warm biscuit. For a heartier meal, consider topping with grated Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.