Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes. For Beef Barley Soup, choose a cut that becomes tender with slow cooking. Chuck roast or stew meat works best.

How long does barley take to cook?

Pearl barley usually takes 25 to 40 minutes. It should be soft but still slightly chewy.

es. Brown the beef first for flavor, then add everything to the slow cooker. Cook the Beef Barley Soup on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Yes, it freezes well. Keep in mind the barley will absorb more liquid, so add a little water or broth when reheating.

Taste the soup before serving. Broth and tomato paste already add salt, so only add more if the flavor feels flat.

A hearty and simple one-pot meal perfect for cold evenings, featuring tender beef, soft vegetables, and chewy pearl barley.

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Season the stewing beef generously with salt and pepper. Place the beef in a Ziploc bag with the flour and shake until well coated.
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the floured beef in batches and sear for about 3 minutes per side, until browned. Remove the beef and set aside.
In the same pot, add more olive oil if needed. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
Stir in minced garlic, oregano, and tomato paste. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add a bit of beef broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Return the beef to the pot, add remaining beef broth, water, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beef is tender.
Add the pearl barley to the pot, stir, cover, and cook for another 30 minutes or until the barley is tender yet chewy.
Once the barley is cooked, remove the pot from heat, stir in fresh parsley, and ladle the soup into bowls. Serve hot.

This soup freezes well in meal-size portions and can be reheated on the stove. For a gluten-free option, swap flour for a gluten-free mix.