Slow-Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Cook: 8-1/2 hours
Yield 8 servings (2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
When you need a hearty, soul-affirming meal, turn to slow-cooker beef and barley soup. The savory combination of tender stew meat, plump barley and vegetable medley easily feeds a crowd.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 carton (32 ounces) beef broth
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) beer or nonalcoholic beer
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup medium pearl barley
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, brown beef in oil; drain. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker.
  2. Add the broth, beer, onion, barley, garlic, oregano, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, pepper flakes, pepper, salt and bay leaf. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours.
  3. Stir in vegetables; cover and cook until meat is tender and vegetables are heated through, about 30 minutes longer. Discard bay leaf.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 233 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 644mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.

Here's a real stick-to-your-ribs soup. I've also used a chuck roast, rump roast and London broil that's been cut into bite-sized pieces with tremendous success. —Jane McMillan, Pensacola, Florida
Recipe Creator
Community Cook

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