Print

Cozy One-Pot Beef and Barley Stew – Best Easy Dinner

beef and barley stew - featured image
Print Recipe

This hearty beef and barley stew is a one-pot wonder that combines tender beef, chewy barley, and a rich, flavorful broth. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing gatherings, it’s comfort food reimagined.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup dry red wine (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups water
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
  • Crusty bread (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Cube the beef, dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the carrots and celery. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add beef cubes in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until deeply browned. Flip and brown the other side. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining batches.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, scraping up browned bits. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Cook the vegetables: Add carrots and celery. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften.
  5. Build the broth: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in red wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Let wine simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced by half.
  6. Add the beef and broth: Return beef to pot with accumulated juices. Pour in beef broth, add bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
  7. Add the barley: Stir in rinsed barley and 2 cups of water. Cover and continue simmering for 45 minutes to 1 hour until barley is tender and beef is fork-tender. Check occasionally and add more water or broth if too thick.
  8. Finish and serve: Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley, and serve with crusty bread.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the beef—it creates deep flavor. Use well-marbled chuck roast for tender results. Season in layers for complexity. If stew thickens too much, add more broth or water. For make-ahead, flavors improve overnight. To freeze, portion and store for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, barley stew, one-pot meal, comfort food, easy dinner, winter recipe, hearty stew

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