Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Stew

Description

This Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Stew is a hearty, cozy meal made with tender beef, wholesome pearl barley, sweet carrots, crispy bacon, and rich beef broth. Everything slowly cooks together until the beef is fork-tender and the barley becomes plump and naturally thickens the broth into a delicious, comforting stew. It’s an easy one-pot dinner that’s perfect for chilly evenings and busy days. The original recipe serves 6 and uses just a handful of main ingredients.

🥩 Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 3 cups carrots, sliced into ½-inch pieces
• 1 package bacon, cut into pieces
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Add the beef:
   Place the beef stew meat in the bottom of a 5–6 quart slow cooker.
2. Layer the ingredients:
   Sprinkle the rinsed pearl barley over the beef. Add the sliced carrots and bacon.
3. Add broth:
   Pour the beef broth over everything, making sure the barley is mostly covered.
4. Slow cook:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is tender and the barley is fully cooked.
5. Thicken the stew:
   Use two forks to break apart some of the larger pieces of beef. Stir everything together. The cooked barley will naturally thicken the broth.
6. Adjust consistency:
   If the stew is too thick, add a little hot water or beef broth. If it’s too thin, cook uncovered on HIGH for another 20–30 minutes.
7. Season and serve:
   Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread or your favorite side.

🔥 Pro Tips

• Brown the beef before slow cooking if you want a deeper, richer flavor.
• Rinse the barley before adding it to the slow cooker.
• For extra flavor, use thick-cut bacon and cook it until lightly crisp first.
• Don’t add too much extra liquid—the barley absorbs broth as it cooks.
• Let the finished stew rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving for a thicker consistency.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

Serve with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or a simple green salad.