Delicious Beef Barley Soup Recipe

Delicious Beef Barley Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef stew meat, cut into small cubes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups beef broth
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

Brown the Beef

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add the beef cubes and season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook until the beef is browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.

Sauté the Vegetables

1. In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery.
3. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Add Broth and Barley

1. Return the browned beef to the pot.
2. Add the beef broth, pearl barley, dried thyme, and bay leaf.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the barley and beef are tender.

Final Touches

1. If using, add the frozen peas in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
2. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
3. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Serve

1. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
2. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.

SmartPoints (Weight Watchers)

The SmartPoints values for Beef Barley Soup are as follows:

• Hearty Beef-Barley Stew: 5 points
• Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup: 6 Green or Blue points, or 4 Purple points
• Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup: 4 points per cup

Enjoy your delicious and hearty Beef Barley Soup!