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Homestyle Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Stew

A hearty and comforting beef stew made with tender beef chuck, flavorful barley, and a medley of vegetables, slowly cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 7 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Homestyle
Calories: 2000
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces Select cuts with some marbling.
  • 1 cup barley Adds a nutty depth.
  • 4 cups beef broth Use low-sodium if preferred.
  • 1 whole onion, chopped Adds sweetness.
  • 2 whole carrots, sliced Add earthiness.
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped Can substitute with bell peppers.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced For a subtle punch.
  • 1 tsp dried thyme Enhances flavor.
  • 1 whole bay leaf Remember to remove before serving.
  • to taste none Salt and pepper Taste before adding more salt.
  • as needed none Fresh parsley for garnish Adds color and freshness.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a slow cooker, add the beef chuck, barley, beef broth, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and your chosen salt and pepper.
  2. Gently stir the mixture to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Cooking
  1. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low heat for 8 hours.
  2. At the end of the cooking time, check that the beef is tender and falls apart easily with a fork.
Serving
  1. Before serving, remove the bay leaf from the stew.
  2. If desired, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.

Notes

This stew can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat on stovetop or microwave.