how2heroes » Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

Soups & Sauces » Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

If you remember Mom using a slow cooker to make dinner, you'll recall the aromas that greeted you when you came in the door. Mom was onto something, for sure, especially if she had a full-time job. Maria Collins prepares a healthy soup loaded with vegetables, pearled barley and beef. Once assembled, just put a lid on it and set the timer. In 6-10 hours you've got a meal that, aside from your preparation, got the job done while you were away.

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Serves 8-10

Ingredients

Mushrooms, Onions & Carrots

2 tsp olive oil, divided
1 lb button or cremini mushrooms, halved
2 cups water to deglaze pan, divided
4 medium carrots, cut into ½" rounds
2 medium onions, cut into ½" pieces
½ tsp dried thyme

Beef, Tomatoes & Barley

1 tsp olive oil
1½ lbs beef, cut into ½" cubes [chuck roast is used in this video]
1 cup water to deglaze pan
4 cups of water added directly to slow cooker
28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1½ tbsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp soy sauce
¾ cup pearled barley

To Finish

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Special Equipment

slow cooker

How-to

Brown the Mushrooms, Carrots & Onions

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and 1 tsp of olive oil. Brown mushrooms on all sides, about 2-3 minutes, transfer to a bowl and set aside
Add 1 cup of water to the skillet and deglaze (scrape the bottom of the skillet to remove and dissolve caramelized bits of flavorful food). Pour mushroom-water into a bowl (or fat separator) and set aside
Wipe the skillet and heat 1 tsp of olive oil. Add carrots, onions and ½ tsp dried thyme. Brown onions and carrots, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer onions and carrots (not mushrooms) to a slow cooker
Deglaze the skillet with 1 cup of water. Add carrot/onion water to the mushroom water (creating a vegetable water)

Brown the Beef, Set the Slow Cooker & Finish the Soup

Wipe pan and heat 1 tsp oil. Increase heat to high and brown meat on all sides, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer meat to the slow cooker
Deglaze pan with 1 cup water. Add meat water to vegetable water and add to slow cooker
Add 4 cups of water to the slow cooker along with tomatoes, garlic, thyme, salt, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and pearled barley
Cover and cook for at least 6 hours (and up to 12 hours) or low or 4 hours on high
Check seasonings, add the browned mushrooms and peas and heat vegetables through before serving

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Comments (2)

Posted Thursday, January 5, 2012, at 7:10 pm by albo4121:

It looks delicious, I need to try this one, tnx
Posted Thursday, February 10, 2011, at 11:11 am by Carolyn Waldron-Parr:

I got my version (with venison) into the crock pot before work. It was perfect when I got home.

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