Recipe: Vegetable-Beef Barley Soup
Description: Indulge in the heartiness of this comforting Vegetable-Beef Barley Soup, a wholesome creation that marries tender beef with a symphony of colorful vegetables and nourishing barley grains. Perfect for those seeking a satisfying, fuss-free meal bursting with flavor and nutrition.
Category: One Dish Meal 🍲
Keywords: Roast Beef, Meat, Easy, Inexpensive
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 336.4
- Fat Content: 18g
- Saturated Fat Content: 7.1g
- Cholesterol Content: 70.8mg
- Sodium Content: 827.4mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 19.5g
- Fiber Content: 4.8g
- Sugar Content: 2.2g
- Protein Content: 24g
Servings: 10
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 1/2 | Beef stew meat |
| 2 | Bell peppers |
| 1 | Green beans |
| 1 | Onion |
| 1 | Barley |
| 1 | Corn |
| 1 1/2 | Water |
| 1 | Salt (for seasoning) |
| 1/2 | Salt (to taste) |
| 1/4 | Pepper |
| 2 | Ready-to-serve beef broth |
| 2 | Tomatoes with garlic |
| 1 | Tomato sauce |
Instructions:
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Begin by gathering all the ingredients listed above.
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In a large slow cooker, combine the beef stew meat, diced bell peppers, green beans, chopped onion, barley, corn kernels, water, salt (for seasoning), salt (to taste), pepper, ready-to-serve beef broth, tomatoes with garlic, and tomato sauce. Ensure all the ingredients are well mixed for an even distribution of flavors.
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Cover the slow cooker with its lid, ensuring it is securely in place.
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Set the slow cooker to the desired heat setting. For a longer, slow-cooked flavor infusion, opt for the low heat setting and allow the soup to simmer gently for 8 to 9 hours. Alternatively, if time is limited, you can choose the high heat setting and cook the soup for 4 to 5 hours until the vegetables are tender and the barley grains have softened to perfection.
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Throughout the cooking process, take a moment to savor the delightful aroma as it fills your kitchen, a tantalizing preview of the delicious meal to come.
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Once the cooking time has elapsed, carefully remove the lid from the slow cooker, taking care to avoid any escaping steam.
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Give the soup a gentle stir to incorporate any remaining flavors that may have settled during cooking.
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Ladle the hot Vegetable-Beef Barley Soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion receives a generous helping of tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and wholesome barley grains.
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Serve the soup piping hot, accompanied by your favorite crusty bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Sit back, relax, and enjoy the hearty goodness of this Vegetable-Beef Barley Soup, a comforting culinary creation that’s sure to warm both body and soul, leaving you fully satisfied and nourished.
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Any leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to several days, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of this delicious soup whenever hunger strikes.
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Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your personal taste preferences, whether by adding extra herbs and spices for a flavor boost or incorporating additional vegetables for added nutrition and color.
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Don’t hesitate to share this delightful recipe with family and friends, spreading the joy of good food and wholesome cooking with those you love.
Cook’s Tips:
- For added depth of flavor, consider searing the beef stew meat in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. This step helps to lock in the meat’s juices and creates a rich, caramelized exterior that enhances the overall taste of the soup.
- To make this recipe even more budget-friendly, you can use leftover roast beef or shredded cooked beef instead of stew meat. Simply add the cooked beef to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking to heat through.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of vegetables according to your personal preferences or what’s available in your pantry. Root vegetables like carrots or parsnips would make excellent additions, adding both sweetness and texture to the soup.
- If you prefer a thicker consistency to your soup, you can add a tablespoon or two of tomato paste or cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) during the last hour of cooking, stirring well to ensure it’s fully incorporated.
Conclusion:
With its hearty blend of tender beef, wholesome barley, and colorful vegetables, this Vegetable-Beef Barley Soup is a true testament to the beauty of simple, nourishing ingredients coming together to create a soul-satisfying meal. Whether enjoyed on a chilly evening or as a comforting lunchtime treat, this recipe is sure to become a firm favorite in your culinary repertoire. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the slow cooker, and get ready to savor the deliciousness of this homemade soup masterpiece!
