Beef and Barley with Mushrooms (Printable)

Tender beef and pearl barley with mushrooms in a rich, savory broth for cozy comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound beef chuck roast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
02 - 4 ounces pancetta, diced

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 pound baby bella mushrooms, sliced
04 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 medium carrots, diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Grains

08 - 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 8 cups low-sodium beef broth
10 - 1 cup water

→ Aromatics and Seasonings

11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
12 - 2 bay leaves
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
15 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
17 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add diced pancetta and cook until browned and crispy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a slotted spoon and set aside. Season beef cubes with salt and pepper. Working in batches to avoid crowding, sear beef until browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
02 - Add remaining olive oil to pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms release their juices and begin to brown, approximately 6-8 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Return beef and pancetta to pot. Add barley, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and barley is fully cooked.
06 - Remove bay leaves from soup. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The pancetta adds a hidden layer of salt and smoke that most beef soups lack.
  • Pearl barley creates a thick and silky texture that feels much more luxurious than plain rice.
02 -
  • Do not rush the browning process because those charred bits are where all the savory magic lives.
  • The soup will thicken significantly as it sits so you might need an extra splash of broth tomorrow.
03 -
  • Add a parmesan rind to the simmering broth for an extra hit of umami flavor.
  • Cut the vegetables into uniform sizes so every spoonful has a balanced bit of everything.
Go Back