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This beef and barley stew slow cooker recipe is comfort food made easy. For those who like to set it and forget it!
If you love the combination of beef and barley (and are craving a broth!), you have to try our .
Beef and barley stew is a healthy and hearty dish of stewed beef, tender barley, and veggies. Made in a slow cooker, this recipe requires minimal fuss and is perfect for meal-prepping. You’re new favorite beef stew!
If you haven’t cooked with barley much, you’re about to be hooked. Often underutilized in American cooking, it touts some major health benefits. Packed with nutrients and fiber, you can count on barley to keep you fuller for longer with minimal calories.
Note: If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can easily make this soup in a Dutch oven.
How to Make the Best Beef and Barley Stew
Making beef and barley stew in the slow cooker is a no-brainer and perfect for meal-prepping. Below, find a quick overview of the recipe before you dive in.
- Prep the Veggies & Beef: Slice the mushrooms into fourths and dice the onions and carrots. Next, slice the beef into one-inch cubes.
- Brown the Beef: In a deep skillet preheated with olive oil, brown the beef. Remove it from the skillet and transfer it into the slow cooker.
- Sauté the Veggies: Sauté the carrots and onions in the beef drippings and transfer them to the slow cooker. Next, brown the mushrooms in the drippings. Pop them in the slow cooker.
- Add the Remaining Ingredients: Add barley, bay leaves, broth concentrate, pepper and salt into the slow cooker. Fill with water. Cook on high for 2-4 hours. Serve in a big soup bowl and enjoy!
Hot Tip: In a pinch, you don’t have to brown the beef or sauté the veggies before popping them into the slow cooker if you’re in a pinch, but doing so adds such depth of flavor to the stew!
Tips for Making the Best Beef and Barley Stew
Below, find a couple of tips and tricks to help you make the best stew.
- Cook the veggies in the beef drippings. Browning the beef pulls out a ton of flavor from the meat and creates nice drippings for you to sauté the veggies in.
- Don’t waste your money on expensive beef. The slow cooker will work its magic and make even the toughest cuts of beef tender. Save yourself the money and get chuck or stew meat!
- Periodically check the doneness of the stew the first time you make it. Every slow cooker is different, so some may cook the stew faster or slower than others. After 2 hours, check it for doneness and adjust the cooking time as necessary.
Instant Pot Hack: If you want to speed up the process, you could make this entire stew in an Instant Pot. Simply cook the beef and veggies on sauté mode and hit the stew setting!
Serving Beef and Barley Stew
Although beef and barley stew can stand as a meal on its own, you can serve it with a handful of sides for lunch or dinner to make it a more well-rounded meal. If you’re in the mood to bake, whip up some fresh baguette or cornbread to serve it with (who doesn’t like sopping up broth with bread?!). If you’re trying to keep things light, pair it with a classic garden or caesar salad.
Storing Beef and Barley Stew
- Refrigerator: Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep for up to a week and get more flavor as it marinates in itself, making for some awesome leftovers!
- Freezer: To freeze leftover stew, first let it cool down completely. Transfer it to a freezer-safe plastic bag or airtight container. It should stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Reheating Tip: To reheat refrigerated soup, zap it in the microwave for a couple or minutes or pop it in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through. To reheat frozen soup, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Reheat as you would refrigerated stew.
FAQ
Should I cook the barley before adding it to the stew?
No, you do not need to cook the barley before adding it to the stew. It will cook in the slow cooker to tender perfection!
What kind of barley should I use?
You should use pearl barley for this soup. It has a neutral, cereal-like taste and adds a wonderful creaminess to stew.
How can I make my beef barley stew more flavorful?
You can make beef barley stew more flavorful by topping it with fresh herbs. Dill, parsley, chives, and basil work great!
How do I fix a bland stew?
If your stew turns out less flavorful than you hoped, add some extra salt and pepper. You could also add a tablespoon or so of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
What cut of beef should I use for beef barley stew?
Chuck roast is the best cut for stew. It’s typically tougher, but during the slow cooking process it turns ultra-tender. If your butcher has it, you could also use stew meat (odds and ends from lean beef cuts).
Do I have to precook the beef and veggies before adding them to the slow cooker?
You don’t have to, but browning the beef and sautéing the veggies adds such a depth of flavor to the stew.
Other Comforting Recipes
- Stewed Buckwheat And Beef – A Ukrainian classic
- Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup – Spinach, sausage, & tortellini pasta
- One-Pot Chicken Rice Bake – Classic chicken and rice pilaf
- Cream Mushroom Potatoes – Decadent, creamy potatoes
- Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers – Veggies, beef and rice covered in a creamy, tomato-based sauce!
Recipe
Beef and Barley Stew (Slow-Cooker )
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Servings
15 Servings
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This beef and barley stew slow cooker recipe is comfort food made easy. For those who like to set it and forget it!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb beef one inch cubes
- 1 onion diced
- 1 carrot chopped
- 1 1/2 cup barley
- 1 1/2 lb mushrooms sliced
- 1 tbsp Better Than Bouillon broth concentrate beef or chicken base
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
- 1 tsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
US Units – Metric
Instructions
Preheat a deep skillet over high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides. Remove the meat from the skillet and place it into the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, sauté the carrots and onion and cook until they are lightly browned. Place them into the slow cooker.
Next, brown mushrooms in the same skillet and add to the slow cooker.
Add barley, bay leaves, Better than Bouillon broth concentrate, and salt to the slow cooker. Fill the slow cooker with enough water to cover 2/3rds of the ingredients (about 2.5 cups).
Depending on the size and power of your slow cooker, cook on high for 2-4 hours. Check the stew periodically to gauge doneness. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Beef and Barley Stew (Slow-Cooker )
Amount Per Serving
Calories 195 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 32mg11%
Sodium 503mg21%
Potassium 376mg11%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 686IU14%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted November 3, 2021
About Author
Natalya Drozhzhin
Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.
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RitaJul 5, 2023 I use hulled barley (not pearl) for the extra fiber and soak my barley for about six hours before starting the recipe. Also, I have one who likes the flavor of mushrooms, but not the texture. I purchase dried mushrooms and grind them into a powder and add to the broth. It takes just one tablespoon/15 grams of mushroom powder to add AMAZING DEPTH OF FLAVOR without resorting to the canned soup stuff.
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 5, 2023 Hello Rita- thank you for sharing these tips with us! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
JuliaNov 27, 2021 Hi, is there a way to make this on the stove top, ex. in a dutch oven? What would have to be changed?
Thank you!
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 27, 2021 Hey Julia, you can cook it on medium-low and keep an eye on cooking time. Let me know how it comes out. Thank you!
wilhelminaNov 4, 2021 It has been cold here and I knew this stew would be perfect for dinner as soon as I saw it! It was delicious! So hearty and comforting, the perfect meal to come home to.
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 4, 2021 I'm so glad to hear that, it really si the best recipe for the fall and winter, so filling and easy to make!
JuliaNov 4, 2021 I am always on the lookout for creative recipes with barley and this one didn't disappoint! Loads of flavour and so easy to make in the crock pot!
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 4, 2021 Yes, we love barley too!! It is so good for you and super filling 🙂
AllyssaNov 4, 2021 Thanks a lot for this amazing and super easy to make beef barley recipe! It's really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 4, 2021 I am so glad you loved it, it is such a hearty and delicious recipe, perfect for this time of year 🙂
JulieJan 3, 2021 If I replace barley with white rice do I have to adjust anything?
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 3, 2021 Hey Julie, you may need to adjust liquids. Enjoy
Svetlana IvanchenkoNov 9, 2019 Hi. Which cut of beef and do you rinse the barley before adding it? Thanks.
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 9, 2019 I don’t rinse barley. Typically in this recipe I use roast but you can use any cut that is fatty.
TanyaJan 9, 2019 Hi! have you tried making this in the instant pot? What do you think would be the water /barley ratio?
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 9, 2019 I haven't tried but it would work in insta pot but it would work, it will take about 30 minutes. For insta pot I would fully cover the ingredients with water. If you try this option, let me know how it goes.
Natalie CiocleaNov 17, 2017 Please answer ASAP! 🙂 what if i have ten minute rice? Do I add it in ten minutes prior to the fish being done? Or should I still put it in the beginning? Also I don't have better then bullion.. Can I use vegeta or a cube of galina blanca? If yes what would be the water ratio? Please answer quick I want km make it now..
Natalie CiocleaNov 17, 2017 Sorry not rice but barley.. Ten minute barley..
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 20, 2017 That would change the recipe completely. I would heave tot est it out to figure out how that would work. Flavors build up as it cooks for a long time, with 10 minutes, I dont think it would taste as good.
mariyaJan 3, 2016 Do you think it would work with brown rice? And any ideas about how much water it would need and time to cook? I made it with barley already and we loved it. My husband who said he won't eat that grain ate and and didn't even know that he was eating it because it was so good. So thank you 🙂
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 4, 2016 I think same measurements and time would work but I haven't tried it myself.
lilkaNov 10, 2015 This is really tasty, everyone loved it. I added more carrots to give sweeter taste =))
Natalya DrozhzhinNov 11, 2015 So awesome!!! Thank you for sharing 🙂 great idea with carrots.
TatyAug 17, 2015 How long will it take a slow cooker to cook on low? Thanks
Natalya DrozhzhinAug 19, 2015 I would say double the time but you can always check while its cooking.
YelenaJul 9, 2015 Would using White rice be okay in this recipe instead of barley?
Natalya DrozhzhinJul 9, 2015 Yes you can but you will have to adjust cooking time, just check back in it once in a while.
KatherineApr 12, 2015 I can't find "Better Than Bullion" anywhere! Can I substitute "
Better Than Bullion" with bullion cubes or chicken broth? And is so, how much will I need?KatherineApr 16, 2015 Thank you so much!!!
Natalya DrozhzhinApr 13, 2015 Yes you can use seasoning cubes. One or two cubes will do it, depending on the size.
SusieFeb 5, 2015 Will this work with quinoa
???Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 5, 2015 Yes, but the cooking time may be different on quinoa.
NatashaJan 20, 2015 Made it today, great for a busy weeknight dinner!!!! Pinning it! And I think it would be awesome with buckwheat too,,,,
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 20, 2015 Thanks for pinning, love you for that! Seems like a few people have been giving me the same idea. I got to get on it 🙂
GalinaJan 14, 2015 Could you use buckwheat instead of barley? Something I have in the pantry 🙂
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 14, 2015 Yes, I love that idea. I want to make it with buckwheat now also 🙂 I am just not sure how much water you would need, I am assuming a little less. Than you can just add more if it needs more. Tell me how it turns out!
NatashaJan 13, 2015 Do you cook it on high or low? how many cups of water did you use? Can you add vegeta instead of salt?
YanaJan 15, 2015 Vegeta is 100% MSG.. I would not recommend it :/
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 15, 2015 I recently saw Vegata at the store that is MSG free. I wonder if its better.
Natalya DrozhzhinJan 14, 2015 You can use vegeta, I have used about 2:5 cups of water. And cooked it on high.
