Description
This hearty Beef and Barley Stew is a comforting one-pot meal featuring tender beef cubes simmered with pearl barley, vegetables, and fragrant herbs in a rich beef broth. Perfect for chilly days, it’s packed with flavor and nutrients, making it a satisfying and nutritious dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) beef stew meat, cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown on all sides for about 5–7 minutes. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften, stirring occasionally.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell its fragrance.
- Add Remaining Ingredients and Bring to Boil: Return the browned beef to the pot, then add the rinsed barley, beef broth, diced tomatoes with their juice, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir to combine and bring the stew to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer the Stew: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the stew simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the barley is fully cooked.
- Season and Finish: Remove the bay leaves and season the stew with salt and pepper to your taste. Stir well to incorporate the seasoning.
- Serve: Ladle the hot stew into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately for a warming meal.
Notes
- Rinsing the pearl barley before adding it helps remove excess starch and prevents the stew from becoming too thick.
- You can substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- Simmering times can vary depending on the size of your beef cubes; check tenderness and adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
