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Cozy Christmas Beef Barley Soup

Cozy Christmas Beef Barley Soup

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Diet: Standard

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 large carrots, sliced into rounds
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
  • 8 cups high-quality beef bone broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Sear the Beef
    Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season them generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, making sure not to crowd the pan. Sear the meat until a dark brown crust forms on all sides. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
    Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the same pot. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes until the onions become translucent and the vegetables soften slightly. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another 2 minutes until the tomato paste turns a deep brick red and smells fragrant. This step builds the savory base for your Christmas soup.
  3. Step 3: Simmer the Soup
    Pour in a splash of beef broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the brown bits (the fond) from the bottom of the pot. Add the remaining broth, the seared beef, pearl barley, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary sprig, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer gently for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender and the barley is soft.
  4. Step 4: Plating and Garnish
    Remove the rosemary sprig and bay leaves from the pot. Taste the soup and add more salt or pepper if needed. Ladle the hot soup into deep bowls. Top each serving with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of Christmas green. Serve alongside a piece of crusty toasted bread for the ultimate cozy experience.
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Find it online: https://www.smilefood.net/cozy-christmas-beef-barley-soup/