Cubed Beef and Barley Soup

Name: Cubed Beef and Barley Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 h 30 min
Total time: 8 h 50 min
Yield: 8 servings (2 quarts).
Ingredients: 1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 1 carton (32 ounces) beef broth; 1 bottle (12 ounces) beer or nonalcoholic beer; 1 small onion, chopped; 1/2 cup medium pearl barley; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 bay leaf; 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

Here's a stick to your ribs type of soup. I've also used a chuck roast, rump roast and London broil that's been cut into bite-size pieces with tremendous sucess.—Jane McMillan, Dania Beach, Florida

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 carton (32 ounces) beef broth
1 bottle (12 ounces) beer or nonalcoholic beer
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup medium pearl barley
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

Directions

In a large skillet, brown beef in oil; drain. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker.
Add the broth, beer, onion, barley, garlic, oregano, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, pepper flakes, pepper, salt and bay leaf. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Stir in vegetables; cover and cook 30 minutes longer or until meat is tender and vegetables are heated through. Discard bay leaf.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 233 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 644mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.

Originally published as Beef Barley Soup in Taste of Home Cookbook Contest 2010/2011