Description
Hearty and nutritious Beef and Barley Soup featuring tender beef cubes, wholesome pearl barley, and fresh vegetables simmered together in a flavorful beef broth, perfect for a comforting and filling meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
Broth and Grains
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 cup pearl barley
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes, to develop rich flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for another 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Add Broth and Barley: Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the pearl barley, dried thyme, and bay leaf to infuse flavor.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the barley is tender and the beef is cooked through.
- Season and Add Greens: Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped spinach or kale and cook until the greens wilt, adding extra nutrition and color.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of fresh flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute kale with spinach or other leafy greens as preferred.
- For a thicker soup, allow it to simmer uncovered during the last 15 minutes.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- For a richer flavor, brown the beef in batches without crowding the pot.
- Adjust seasoning at the end after adding greens to ensure balanced taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
