Hearty Beef Vegetable Barley (Printable)

Robust stew of tender beef, barley, and garden vegetables, perfect for cozy chilly nights.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1.5 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 1 large onion, chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 large potato, peeled and diced
08 - 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
09 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Grains & Legumes

10 - 2/3 cup pearl barley, rinsed

→ Liquids

11 - 6 cups beef broth
12 - 1 cup water
13 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
14 - 1 bay leaf

→ Spices & Seasonings

15 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
17 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
18 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes and brown evenly on all sides in batches if needed. Remove beef and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add chopped onion, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
03 - Return beef to the pot. Add diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, beef broth, water, dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir to mix thoroughly.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 1 hour.
05 - Incorporate pearl barley, diced potatoes, and green beans. Stir well, cover, and continue to simmer for 45 to 60 minutes until beef is tender and barley is fully cooked.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired. Serve garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The beef becomes so tender you barely need a spoon, and the barley soaks up all that savory broth like it's been waiting its whole life for this.
  • It's a genuine one-pot meal that tastes even better the next day, which means less cooking and more living.
  • You'll feel like you're taking care of yourself and whoever you feed this to in the most honest way possible.
02 -
  • Don't skip searing the beef—those browned bits aren't just color, they're concentrated flavor that dissolves into everything else.
  • The barley must be added late or it'll fall apart and make your broth starchy and thick in a way that feels heavy instead of comforting.
03 -
  • Use beef broth made from real bones if you can find it—the difference in depth is undeniable and worth seeking out.
  • Cut your vegetables roughly the same size so they cook evenly and the finished stew feels balanced rather than chaotic.

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