Description
Hearty beef and barley soup delivers comfort with rich, savory flavors from slow-simmered meat and tender vegetables. Nordic culinary traditions shine through this warming bowl that nourishes and satisfies you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless chuck roast, cut into small pieces
Vegetables:
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) sliced carrots
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) sliced celery
- 8 ounces (226 grams) sliced mushrooms
Grains and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) pearl barley
- 910 cups (216,000 milliliters) water
- 2 tablespoons beef base (or beef broth substitute)
- 1 large bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear beef chunks until golden brown on all sides, developing rich caramelized flavors.
- Transfer browned beef to a slow cooker, ensuring each piece is evenly distributed across the bottom.
- Layer chopped onions, diced carrots, sliced celery, and quartered mushrooms over the beef, creating a colorful vegetable foundation.
- Add beef base and pour water to cover ingredients, maintaining a balanced liquid-to-solid ratio.
- Gently nestle bay leaf into the mixture, allowing its aromatic essence to infuse throughout the soup.
- Cover slow cooker and set to high temperature, letting contents reach a gentle simmer within 1-2 hours.
- Sprinkle pearl barley evenly across the surface, stirring carefully to integrate without disturbing vegetable placement.
- Continue cooking for an additional 45-60 minutes until barley becomes tender and soup thickens slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Carefully remove bay leaf before serving to prevent any bitter undertones.
- Ladle steaming soup into bowls and offer optional condiments like fish crackers, chili sauce, soy sauce, and fresh lemon wedges for personalized garnishing.
Notes
- Enhance Browning by patting beef dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and develop deeper flavor profiles.
- Customize Texture by cutting vegetables into uniform sizes ensuring even cooking and consistent mouthfeel throughout the soup.
- Boost Nutrition by substituting beef with lean protein alternatives like turkey or plant-based options for diet-specific modifications.
- Elevate Flavor by adding a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar during browning to introduce complex, rich undertones to the base.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg