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Cozy Crockpot Beef and Barley Stew | Easy One-Pot Dinner

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A hearty, hands-off beef and barley stew made in the crockpot with tender chuck roast, pearl barley, and vegetables in a rich, savory broth. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 3 stalks celery, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels. Cut into 1.5-inch cubes and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the beef cubes for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms. Transfer to a bowl.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook 4-5 minutes until onions are translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour 1/2 cup beef broth into the skillet and scrape up browned bits. Simmer 1 minute, then pour the vegetable mixture into the crockpot.
  5. Add browned beef to the crockpot. Sprinkle pearl barley evenly over the top. Pour in remaining beef broth. Add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaves. Stir gently.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef is fork-tender and barley is tender.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, check consistency. If too thick, stir in extra 1/2 cup broth or water. If too thin, leave lid off for last 30 minutes.
  8. Remove bay leaves and discard. Stir in frozen peas and cook 2-3 minutes until heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Let stew rest 10 minutes before serving. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the beef—it creates deep flavor. Use pearl barley, not quick-cooking, for best texture. Season in layers for optimal flavor. For a soupier stew, add extra broth at the start. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef and barley stew, crockpot stew, slow cooker beef stew, one-pot dinner, comfort food, hearty stew, winter recipe

Find it online: https://spoonluma.com/cozy-crockpot-beef-and-barley-stew-easy-one-pot-dinner/