The Easiest Hearty Beef Barley Stew Recipe for Cozy Nights

Cold winter nights call for a comforting, hearty beef barley stew that warms you from the inside out.

Tender chunks of beef, slowly simmered with robust vegetables, create a rich and satisfying meal.

The barley adds a delightful nutty texture and hearty substance to this classic dish.

Savory herbs and a deep, flavorful broth meld together, promising a bowl of pure comfort.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of meat, vegetables, and wholesome grains.

Packed with protein and nutrients, this stew stands as a complete meal that will chase away the winter chill.

Dive into this rustic, soul-soothing recipe that turns a simple dinner into a memorable culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 7

Inside the Pot: Hearty Beef Barley Stew Ingredients

• Beef Chuck Roast: Select well-marbled, tender cut for rich flavor and succulent texture that melts during slow cooking.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates golden crust and helps thicken stew's delightful consistency.
• Coarse Kosher Salt, Fresh Ground Black Pepper: Enhance natural meat flavors with balanced seasoning.

• Celery, Onion, Carrots: Classic mirepoix blend providing sweet, earthy undertones and nutritional depth to the stew.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor that complements beef's richness.
• Fresh Oregano, Fresh Rosemary: Herbaceous Mediterranean herbs bringing vibrant, woodsy notes and aromatic complexity.

• Beef Broth, Water: Creates hearty base with deep, meaty essence.
• Tamari, Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces umami depth and subtle fermented complexity.
• Pearl Barley: Nutty, chewy grain that absorbs flavors and provides satisfying texture.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity fat for sautéing and adding silky finish.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates rich, slightly sweet undertone and helps develop deep color.

Toolbox Talk: Equipment for Beef Barley Stew

• Dutch Oven or Large Soup Pot: Essential for browning beef and simmering the stew, providing ample space and even heat distribution.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for coating beef pieces with flour, salt, and pepper.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables like celery, onion, and carrots.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and meat preparation.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Plate: Used for transferring browned beef during cooking process.

Hearty Beef Barley Stew: How to Make It Cozy

Cozy Kitchen Adventure

• Beef Preparation

Grab your favorite large pot and warm up some olive oil. Get ready to transform plain beef into a mouthwatering masterpiece by coating the meat with a simple seasoning blend.

• Vegetable Magic

Toss colorful chopped vegetables into the pot, letting them dance and soften while releasing their delightful aromas. Season generously to wake up all those amazing flavors.

• Flavor Explosion

Sprinkle in aromatic herbs that will make your kitchen smell incredible. Tomato paste adds a rich, deep undertone that brings everything together like a culinary symphony.

• Liquid Love

Pour in rich broths and sauces that will transform your simple ingredients into a hearty, comforting stew. Let everything simmer and mingle, creating layers of deliciousness.

• Barley Finale

Add soft, nutty barley towards the end of cooking. This magical grain will absorb all the incredible flavors and turn your stew into a soul-warming meal that hugs you from the inside out.

Seasoning Secrets + Switch-Ups for Barley Stew

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Meat Swap Magic: Substitute beef chuck with lamb shoulder or turkey thighs for a delightful protein twist that keeps the stew's rich, hearty character intact.
• Veggie Boost Brilliance: Toss in extra vegetables like diced parsnips, mushrooms, or sweet potatoes to increase nutritional value and add unexpected flavor layers.
• Slow Cooker Shortcut: Transfer all ingredients (except barley) to a slow cooker after browning the meat. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, adding barley during the last hour for perfect texture.
• Herb Garden Hack: Fresh herbs make a world of difference – swap dried herbs with freshly chopped rosemary and oregano right before serving for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
• Texture Tweak: For a thicker stew, sprinkle a bit more flour during the beef coating stage or let the stew simmer uncovered during the final 15 minutes to reduce and concentrate flavors.

How to Serve a Warm Bowl of Barley Stew

• Cozy Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty beef barley stew with a crusty sourdough bread to soak up every delicious drop of the rich broth, creating the ultimate comfort meal experience.
• Winter Warmth Plating: Serve the stew in deep, rustic ceramic bowls that highlight the stew's rich colors and keep the meal warm, perfect for chilly evenings with family or friends.
• Fresh and Bright Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving to add a pop of color, fresh herb flavor, and a light, vibrant contrast to the deep, meaty stew.
• Side Salad Boost: Complement the stew with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the beef and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty main dish.

Storage Wisdom for Beef Barley Stew

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the stew in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Divide into individual portions for quick weekday lunches or dinners, making reheating simple and convenient.
• Freezing Magic: Stash extra servings in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Remove air pockets before sealing to prevent freezer burn and maintain delicious flavor integrity.
• Reheating Wisdom: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth if the stew seems thick, restoring its original luxurious texture.
• Freshness Tracking: Label containers with the date of preparation. Refrigerated stew stays delectable for 3-4 days, ensuring you enjoy every spoonful at peak tastiness without waste.

Cozy Beef Barley Stew Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Savory beef barley stew brings comfort from Northern European kitchens with rich, warming ingredients. Robust meat, tender vegetables, and pearl barley create a deeply satisfying meal you’ll crave during cold winter evenings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) beef chuck roast, cut into 1” pieces, excess fat trimmed and discarded
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 medium carrots, finely diced
• 2 ribs celery with leaves, finely diced
• 4 cups (946 ml) beef broth
• 2 cups (473 ml) water
• ¾ cup (170 g) pearl barley
• 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tbsps tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons tamari (or soy sauce)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Searing Station: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, creating an ideal surface for caramelizing beef with precision and depth.
2. Seasoning Technique: Thoroughly coat beef pieces with salt, pepper, and flour in a mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform, flavor-enhancing crust that will develop rich color and texture during cooking.
3. Flavor Development: Methodically brown beef chunks in batches, achieving a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and creates intense flavor complexity, then transfer seared pieces to a holding plate.
4. Aromatic Foundation: Gently sauté celery, onion, and carrots over reduced heat, allowing vegetables to soften and release natural sweetness while building a nuanced flavor profile in the culinary landscape.
5. Herbaceous Infusion: Integrate tomato paste, minced garlic, oregano, and rosemary into the vegetable base, stirring continuously to blend botanical notes and establish a robust, multilayered taste experience.
6. Liquid Symphony: Reunite browned beef with vegetable mixture, pour in beef broth, water, tamari, and Worcestershire sauce, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil before reducing to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop profound depth.
7. Final Transformation: Introduce pearl barley during the concluding cooking phase, enabling the grain to absorb surrounding flavors and metamorphose the stew into a luxuriously textured, comforting culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Sear for Flavor Depth: Brown beef in batches to create a golden crust, which locks in juices and develops rich, caramelized flavors that elevate the entire stew.
• Flour Coating Technique: Thoroughly dust beef pieces with seasoned flour, creating a protective layer that helps thicken the sauce and adds subtle texture to each bite.
• Vegetable Layering Matters: Sauté aromatic vegetables at reduced heat to coax out their natural sweetness, building a complex flavor foundation that provides depth to the stew.
• Barley Absorption Magic: Add pearl barley in the final cooking stage, allowing it to soak up surrounding flavors and transform the dish into a hearty, satisfying meal with delightful texture variations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg