Go Back

Rich Beef and Barley Stew

Handmade Farmhouse
A rich beef broth and loaded with garden vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, potatoes and green beans, this stew will quickly become a family favorite!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 32oz Boxes of Beef stock I like Swanson cooking stock brand
  • 2-3 pounds beef stew meat I love Costco's pre-cut meat
  • 1/2 Tablespoon butter with a splash of olive oil (optional)
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen corn
  • 2 medium russet potatoes peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
  • 2 cups chopped green beans
  • 2 cups Fresh or frozen peas
  • 2 cups chopped fresh or frozen carrots
  • 2 Stalks celery
  • 1/2 cup barley
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Fresh thyme for garnish

To thicken stew:

  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions
 

  • In a soup pot, turn heat to medium high and add 1/2 tablespoon butter and a splash of olive oil.
    Sear meat until browned. Transfer meat to a large crockpot and pour 64 ounces of beef broth. Allow to simmer on high heat for 4 hours or low for 6-7.
    Beef should be very tender. Transfer meat and broth back to cleaned soup pot and add chopped vegetables, barley, and spices and salt.
    Allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender and barley is plump.
    Thicken with a cornstarch slurry if desired. Mix water and corn starch and add to boiling soup. The stew should instantly thicken.
    The barley will thicken the stew slightly on it's own, so this step is totally optional!

Notes

 
** If you wish to keep this stew gluten free, omit the barley.
Recipe may be cut in half for a smaller batch. 
Soup can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge. It may also be cooled and frozen but the vegetables will not be as crisp and delicious.
If you want to leave the soup in the crockpot and skip transferring it back to the soup pot to boil, you may add veggies/spices/barley and seasoning to the crockpot but you will need to add an additional hour of time for veggies to simmer and get tender. 
We love this recipe with a side of easy homemade breadsticks or fool-proof crescent rolls (both recipes can be found on handmadefarmhouse.com!)
Keyword beef stew, hearty soup, soup, stew