Classic Beef and Barley Vegetable Stew

Tender lean beef sirloin, nutty pearled barley, and sweet root vegetables slowly simmered in a rich, savory beef-herb broth.

• Prep: 20 min
• Cook: 40 min
• Total: 1 hr
• Servings: 8
• Cuisine: American
• Difficulty: Easy

Dietary

• Dairy-Free
• Nut-Free
• Egg-Free
• Low-Fat
• Low-Saturated-Fat
• Low-Sugar
• Low-Cholesterol
• Low-Calorie

Tags

• one-pot
• sauté
• boil
• comfort food
• classic

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1.5 pound top sirloin steak (trimmed of fat, cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 yellow onion (large, diced)
• 3 carrots (medium, sliced into rounds)
• 3 celeries (sliced)
• 3 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz can, canned)
• 1 cup pearled barley (uncooked, rinsed)
• 8 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 piece bay leaf (whole)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 pounds diced lean sirloin, seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and sear for 5 minutes until browned on all sides.
2. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 3 sliced carrots, and 3 sliced celery stalks; cook for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon dried thyme; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add 8 cups beef broth, 1 can petite diced tomatoes, 1 cup uncooked pearled barley, 2 bay leaves, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer gently for 30 minutes until barley and beef are tender.
6. Discard the 2 bay leaves and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before portioning.

Notes

Barley continues to thicken the stew as it chills; add an extra splash of broth or water when reheating for work lunches.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 275
• Protein: 24.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28.6 g
• Fat: 6.8 g
• Fiber: 5.4 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Saturated Fat: 1.9 g
• Sugar: 4.1 g
• Cholesterol: 48 mg