This easy Slow Cooker Savory Beef and Barley Stew is a hearty and nutritious meal that’s perfect for chilly days. With tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and quick-cooking barley, it’s a simple and comforting dish you can make with common ingredients. The rich broth brings everything together for a satisfying meal.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 2 lbs (908 g) beef stew meat, cut into ½-inch (1.3-cm) cubes
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 2 ribs celery, sliced
• 8 oz (227 g) mini bella mushrooms, sliced
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 cups (1.9 L) beef broth
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp thyme
• 1 tbsp (2 g) dried parsley
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tsp (10 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups (400 g) quick pearl barley

How To Make Slow Cooker Savory Beef And Barley Stew

1. Prepare the slow cooker: Add the beef, onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, bay leaf, broth, onion powder, thyme, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to your 6-quart (6-L) slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
2. Add barley: If cooking on low, turn your slow cooker to high, stir in the barley, cover, and continue cooking for 30 more minutes.
3. Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Cut the beef into uniform pieces: Ensure the beef is cut into ½-inch (1.3 cm) cubes so it cooks evenly and becomes tender.
• Sauté the mushrooms before adding them: For extra flavor, sauté the mushrooms in a little oil for a few minutes before adding them to the slow cooker.
• Season to taste: Always taste the stew towards the end of cooking and adjust the salt, pepper, and seasonings to your liking.
• Use quick-cooking barley: Quick pearl barley is ideal for this recipe as it cooks faster and blends well with the other ingredients.
• Stir the barley in at the right time: Add the barley in the last 30 minutes if cooking on low to prevent it from becoming too soft or mushy.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

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