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Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Stew

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A cozy, hearty stew featuring tender beef chuck, pearl barley, and root vegetables slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for comforting dinners on chilly days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup pearl barley (140 grams)
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped into chunks
  • 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (960 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Pat dry beef chuck roast cubes with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes in batches, about 3-4 minutes per batch, then transfer to slow cooker.
  3. Peel and chop carrots, parsnips, celery, and onion into bite-sized pieces. Mince garlic cloves.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook for another minute.
  5. Transfer sautéed mixture to slow cooker with beef. Add chopped vegetables, pearl barley, beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for about 4 hours until beef is tender and barley is softened but chewy.
  7. Remove bay leaf, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If stew is too thick, stir in hot water or extra broth to loosen.
  8. Let stew rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with crusty bread or a fresh green salad.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped for convenience. Avoid overcooking barley to prevent mushiness. Adjust seasoning at the end and add a splash of lemon juice to brighten if desired. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker stew, beef stew, barley stew, cozy dinner, comfort food, root vegetables, easy dinner

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/slow-cooker-beef-and-barley-stew-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-idea/