Description
Hearty Beef and Barley Delight brings warm comfort from classic European kitchens, blending tender beef, pearl barley, and aromatic herbs into a soul-satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings when home calls for something nourishing and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (908 grams) beef stew meat or soup bones
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 3 teaspoons (12 grams) kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons (6 grams) dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch (1-centimeter) chunks
Liquid and Grains:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth
- ¾ cup (150 grams) pearled barley
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Meticulously pat the beef stew meat with paper towels, ensuring surface dryness. Massage of salt and of black pepper thoroughly into the meat. Allow the seasoned meat to rest and absorb flavors at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Warm of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully sear the beef pieces, rotating to achieve a rich golden-brown crust on all surfaces. Cook approximately 3 minutes per side, working in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure uniform browning.
- Transfer the beautifully caramelized beef into a spacious slow cooker. Pour in the meat’s drippings and add finely chopped onions, minced garlic, diced celery, sliced carrots, dried parsley, thyme, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, and of beef broth. Season with remaining salt and pepper.
- Cover and set the slow cooker to low heat, allowing the ingredients to meld and tenderize for 6 to 8 hours. Alternatively, use high heat setting for 4 to 6 hours. Monitor liquid levels, adding extra broth if the mixture appears dry.
- Approximately 40 to 45 minutes before completion, increase the slow cooker’s temperature to high. Stir in of pearled barley, ensuring even distribution. Continue cooking until barley reaches a tender, plump consistency, gently stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Meat Preparation Tip: Patting beef dry and seasoning before cooking ensures a perfect golden-brown crust, sealing in delicious flavors and creating a restaurant-quality texture.
- Browning Technique: Searing meat in batches prevents overcrowding, allowing each piece to caramelize properly and develop deep, rich flavor profiles.
- Slow Cooker Magic: Long, slow cooking breaks down tough meat fibers, transforming stew beef into melt-in-your-mouth tender bites that are incredibly succulent.
- Liquid Balance: Monitor broth levels during cooking, adding extra liquid if needed to maintain moisture and prevent burning or drying out.
- Barley Timing: Adding barley late in the cooking process prevents it from becoming mushy, ensuring a perfectly al dente grain texture that complements the tender beef.
- Storage Hack: This hearty stew tastes even better the next day, as flavors continue to meld and intensify when refrigerated overnight.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg