Description
This hearty Beef and Barley Soup is a comforting meal packed with tender beef, nutritious vegetables, and chewy pearl barley. Perfect for chilly days, this soup is not only delicious but also a great source of protein and fiber. It’s easy to make and is sure to warm you up from the inside out!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the Broth and Barley: Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the pearl barley, dried thyme, and bay leaf.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the barley is tender.
- Season and Add Greens: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped spinach or kale and cook until it wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine when sautéing the vegetables.
- Feel free to add more vegetables like potatoes or peas for additional nutrients.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hr
- Category: soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg