Title: Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup: A Hearty Comfort Meal
Introduction
Experience the utmost delight of a hearty and comforting home-cooked meal with our Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup. This recipe brings together the savory, rich taste of beef stew meat and the nutritional goodness of barley, vegetables, and herbs.
Why Make This Recipe
One dish wonders are always a hit, and this Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup is no exception. Apart from being easy to make, this slow cooker recipe is flavor-packed, nutritionally balanced and has a cook time that requires minimal attention from you. It’s the perfect option for a cold day, requiring simple prep yet delivering mouth watering results.
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
Ingredients:
– Beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes (1 1/2 pounds)
– Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
– Beef broth (4 cups)
– Water (1 cup)
– Barley (1 cup)
– Carrots, diced (2)
– Celery stalks, diced (2)
– Onion, diced (1)
– Garlic, minced (2 cloves)
– Diced tomatoes, undrained (1 can, 14.5 oz)
– Dried thyme (1 teaspoon)
– Dried rosemary (1 teaspoon)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Chopped fresh parsley (optional, 2 tablespoons)
Directions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides and then transfer them to the slow cooker.
2. In the slow cooker, add beef broth, water, barley, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and diced tomatoes.
3. Incorporate thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, stirring to mix.
4. Cover the cooker and let it cook on low heat for about 8 hours until the beef and barley are tender.
5. After cooking, add fresh parsley and stir it in before serving.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
This soup is best served hot, straight from the slow cooker. Pair it with a crusty bread roll or a side salad to enjoy a complete, fulfilling meal.
How to Store Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
Allow the leftover soup to cool completely before transferring it into airtight containers. The soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days while retaining its original flavor. If planning to store for a longer period, freeze the soup and reheat before serving.
Tips to Make Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
1. For an extra touch of flavor, you could sear the beef before adding it to the slow cooker. This will add a rich and savory note to the soup.
2. Adding parsley just before serving will bring a fresh aroma and an eye-catching color to your dish.
Variations (if any)
You can introduce variations according to your preference. Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of beef broth or substitute barley with other grains like brown rice or quinoa.
FAQs
1. Can you replace the beef stew meat with a different type of meat?
Yes, if not a fan of beef, you could substitute it with lamb, chicken, or even turkey chunks.
2. Can you cook the soup on high heat instead of low heat?
Yes, you can cook the soup on high heat, but the cooking time would be approximately halved. But for the best results, slow and low cooking is recommended.
3. Can the leftovers be frozen?
Yes, this soup freezes well. Just ensure to cool the soup completely before transferring to freezer containers. When reheating, heat on low flame and stir occasionally.