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Cozy Slow Cooker Poor Mans Stew: Easy Beef and Barley

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A hearty, budget-friendly slow cooker stew made with tender beef, pearl barley, and vegetables. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that fills your home with comforting aromas and delivers deep, rich flavor without any fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch chunks
  • 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 3 stalks celery, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels. Cut into 1.5-inch chunks, trimming off large pieces of silver skin or hard fat. Season generously with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, add the beef chunks in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the same skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  4. Add sliced carrots, celery, and rinsed pearl barley to the slow cooker. Stir to distribute evenly.
  5. In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together beef broth, water, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Pour over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Add bay leaves, tucking them into the liquid. Ensure the barley is submerged.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, gently stir the stew. If too thick, add a splash of extra broth or water.
  7. Remove bay leaves and discard. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the beef—it’s crucial for flavor. Barley absorbs salt, so add salt gradually and adjust at the end. Use the low setting for best texture. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking. For extra flavor, toast the barley in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker stew, beef and barley, poor man's stew, budget-friendly, comfort food, easy dinner, winter recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/cozy-slow-cooker-poor-mans-stew-easy-beef-and-barley/