Beef Barley Soup
Embrace the flavors of comfort with our Beef Barley Soup - a savory and fulfilling blend of tender beef chunks, nutritious vegetables, and hearty barley. A perfect one-pot meal that's easy to make, ideal for busy weeknights, and freezes well for future feasting.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 carrots
- 1 rib celery
- 2 cups cooked beef
- 6 cups reduced sodium beef broth
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes
- ½ green pepper diced
- ⅔ cup barley
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 package beef gravy mix
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons red wine
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Saute Aromatics: Warm up 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute 1 chopped onion and 1 minced garlic clove until they're soft and fragrant.
- Mix in Everything: To the softened onions and garlic, add the carrots, celery, cooked beef, beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, green pepper, barley, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, beef gravy mix, and bay leaf into the pot. Optionally, pour in 2 tablespoons of red wine for added richness.
- Let It Cook: Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 40-50 minutes. Wait until the barley becomes soft and the soup thickens to your liking.
- Ready to Serve: Discard the bay leaf, then stir in the fresh or dried parsley. Season with salt and pepper according to your preference. Serve the soup warm for a comforting and fulfilling meal.