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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Stew – Easy Comfort Food

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A hearty, comforting slow cooker beef and barley stew made with simple pantry ingredients. The beef becomes fork-tender, the barley adds a chewy texture, and the broth is rich and satisfying—perfect for cold nights and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup pearled barley
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 3 ribs celery, sliced 1/2-inch thick
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables: Peel and chop carrots into 1/2-inch rounds, slice celery the same thickness, dice onion into 1/2-inch pieces, and mince garlic. Set aside.
  2. Season and brown the beef: Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and brown undisturbed for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms. Transfer to a bowl.
  3. Deglaze the skillet: Reduce heat to medium. Add about 1/4 cup beef broth to the skillet and scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon. Pour this liquid into the slow cooker along with the beef.
  4. Layer in slow cooker: Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker. Sprinkle pearled barley over vegetables. Place browned beef on top. Add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Pour in remaining beef broth (about 3 3/4 cups). Stir gently to combine.
  5. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. For best results, use LOW. After about 6 hours on LOW, stir. The stew should be thick and fragrant, barley tender with a slight chew, and beef shreddable with a fork.
  6. Adjust seasoning and serve: Remove bay leaves. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.

Notes

For gluten-free, swap barley with brown rice or quinoa. For a vegetarian version, use mushrooms and chickpeas with vegetable broth. Browning the beef is key for deep flavor—don’t skip it. Add barley at the beginning but keep it layered on top of vegetables to avoid mushiness. Let stew rest on WARM for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, beef and barley stew, comfort food, winter stew, easy dinner, meal prep, hearty stew

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-and-barley-stew-easy-comfort-food/