Name: Hearty Beef and Barley Comfort Soup: A Warm and Nourishing Meal
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 cup onion, diced; 1 cup carrot, diced; 1 cup celery, diced; 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme); ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary); 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 6 cups beef broth; 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (with juice); 1 cup pearl barley (substitute rice for gluten-free option); 2 bay leaves; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (use gluten-free if needed); 1 teaspoon fish sauce (or soy sauce; use gluten-free if needed); Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Description

Nothing beats a warm, nourishing bowl of Hearty Beef and Barley Comfort Soup on a chilly day! This rich and savory soup is loaded with tender beef, hearty barley, and aromatic vegetables, all simmered in a flavorful broth. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or meal prep, this dish is both wholesome and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup carrot, diced
1 cup celery, diced
2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary)
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons tomato paste
6 cups beef broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 cup pearl barley (substitute rice for gluten-free option)
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
1 teaspoon fish sauce (or soy sauce; use gluten-free if needed)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

Brown the Beef
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
- Drain any excess fat.
Sauté the Vegetables
- Add the onions, carrots, and celery to the pot.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic, thyme, rosemary, and smoked paprika, and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Incorporate Tomato Paste
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes to deepen its flavor.
Add Liquids and Barley
- Pour in the beef broth and add the diced tomatoes (with juice).
- Stir in pearl barley and bay leaves.
- Mix in the balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and fish sauce (or soy sauce).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer the Soup
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Check if the barley is tender and adjust seasoning if needed.
Finish and Serve
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Stir in chopped parsley for a fresh touch.
- Serve hot and enjoy this hearty and comforting soup!

Notes

For a gluten-free version, substitute barley with rice or quinoa and use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
To make it thicker, let the soup simmer uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine while sautéing the vegetables.
To make it in a slow cooker, brown the beef and sauté the vegetables first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American