Best-Ever Beef and Barley Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced carrots
• 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced celery
• 2/3 cup chopped onion
• 1 package pre-sliced mushrooms (8 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons beef base (not beef broth, but a base for making broth)
• 8-10 cups water
• 1 large bay leaf

Directions:

1. Brown the beef in a non-stick frying pan until golden, stirring frequently.
2. Transfer the browned beef to a crockpot. Add carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, beef base, water, garlic, and bay leaf.
3. Cook on high heat for one hour. Then, add pearl barley, reduce the heat to low, and continue cooking until the vegetables and beef are tender. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Enjoy this exquisite Beef and Barley Soup, a perfect blend of flavors and textures for a comforting meal.