Hearty Meat & Vegetable Beef Barley Soup

Hearty Meat & Vegetable Beef Barley Soup

(A rich and comforting soup loaded with tender beef, extra vegetables, and nutty barley for a well-balanced, satisfying meal.)

---

Ingredients

Meats:

• 1 ½ lbs beef chuck or stew meat (cubed)
• ½ lb smoked sausage (sliced) (optional, for extra depth)
• 4 slices bacon (chopped) (adds smokiness)

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion (diced)
• 3 carrots (sliced)
• 3 stalks celery (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 cups potatoes (diced)
• 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 cup green beans (chopped)
• 1 cup fire-roasted tomatoes (diced)

Broth & Seasonings:

• 6 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water (for extra brothiness)
• ½ cup red wine (optional, for deeper flavor)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt (to taste)

Grains & Thickener:

• ¾ cup pearled barley (rinsed)
• 2 tbsp flour (optional, to slightly thicken broth)
• 1 tbsp butter

---

Instructions

1. Cook the Meats:

   • In a large pot, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
   • In the same pot, brown smoked sausage for 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
   • Add cubed beef and sear on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté the Vegetables:

   • Melt butter in the pot. Add onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms.
   • Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
   • Sprinkle in flour and stir to coat the vegetables.

3. Build the Soup Base:

   • Pour in red wine (if using) and scrape up browned bits.
   • Add beef broth, water, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, thyme, paprika, and black pepper.
   • Return beef, bacon, and sausage to the pot.
   • Simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Add Barley & Remaining Vegetables:

   • Stir in barley, potatoes, corn, green beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes.
   • Simmer for 25–30 more minutes, until barley is tender.

5. Final Touches:

   • Remove bay leaves.
   • Adjust seasoning with salt and extra black pepper if needed.

6. Serve & Enjoy!

   • Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
   • Serve with crusty bread or buttered biscuits.

---

Why This Version Stands Out?

✅ Extra meats (beef, bacon, smoked sausage) for depth & smokiness
✅ More vegetables (mushrooms, green beans, potatoes, corn) for flavor & nutrition
✅ Well-balanced broth (red wine + Worcestershire + fire-roasted tomatoes)

Would you like a spicier version or a slow-cooker adaptation? 😊

SHARE

About Everyday Eats Easy