One pot meal combining barley, veggies and a flavorful broth!
Beef Barley Soup
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef (15% fat or less)
1 large carrot, diced (about 1 cup)
1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
2 stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
8 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup pearl barley (see Notes)
½ teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
- In large sauce pot, cook ground beef over medium heat. Drain fat (see Notes).
- Add carrot, onion, celery and garlic; stir often and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add broth, tomatoes with juice, barley and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Cover and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 45 to 60 minutes or until barley is as tender as you like it.
- Serve warm.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes
- Pour fat from cooked meat into a metal container. Let it cool, then dispose of it in a garbage can.
- No broth? Use 8 teaspoons low-sodium bouillon and 8 cups of water instead.
- Add 1 cup sliced mushrooms with tomatoes.
- Add 1 cup chopped kale or other greens with tomatoes.
- Pearl barley is high in fiber but is not a whole grain. If using whole grain barley (also called hulled barley), it may take longer for the barley to soften.
- Try adding cilantro on top for more flavor.
- This recipe can be made in a 5-quart or larger slow cooker for extra convenience. Put cooked ground beef and all other ingredients into the cooker, cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours. To shorten cooking time, cook on HIGH for 1 hour then turn to LOW for 5 to 6 hours or until barley is cooked as tender as you like.
You might also like...
Winter Fruit Crisp
Winter Fruit Crisp
Quick and easy fruit treat with warm buttery oats, sweetened with brown sugar.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 Bars (4 inches x 2 inches)
Vegetables and Turkey Stir-Fry
Vegetables and Turkey Stir-Fry
Quick and easy turkey meal with garlic, ginger and whole grain noodles.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Jollof Rice
Jollof Rice
This flavorful variation of a West African favorite includes brown rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers, broth and seasonings. Thanks to the OSU Extension African Heritage Work Group for this recipe.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
55 to 60 minutes
Makes:
8 to 9 cups
Hearty Chicken and Homemade Noodle Soup
Hearty Chicken and Homemade Noodle Soup
Make your own noodles for this comforting soup.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Agua Fresca (Fruit Water)
Agua Fresca (Fruit Water)
Enjoy a refreshing and delicious blended drink made with your favorite fruit. Thanks to the Latin Heritage workgroup for this recipe.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
about 4 cups
Stovetop Bulgur
Stovetop Bulgur
Nutrient-rich whole grain with a light and nutty flavor that cooks quickly.
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
3 cups

Comments
Very good for a soup that only took 40 minutes to cook! Adding tomato stock might be nice and make the broth a little more flavorful.
In reply to Very good for a soup that by LesleyJ
I agree that the simmer time can be shorter than 45 min.