Slow Cooked Beef Barley Stew

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Hearty and warming, this slow cooked beef and barley stew is so easy to make either in the slow cooker, or the Instant Pot. Set it going in the morning and you can come home to the delicious aroma of home cooked food with little to no effort!

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Spring is on the way!

You can feel it in the air and see it in the trees, but in England, spring can never make it’s mind up!

Yesterday was glorious and we didn’t need a coat (just a jumper, I’m not warm yet…) Today however, its cold, overcast and raining. Again.

So today is comfort food. Today is Stew day.

Why you’ll love this Beef and Barley stew

• Slow cooked Beef stew is delicious anytime, but the addition of the barley really levels up the comfort factor.
• Its so simple. I mean, hardly any work at all
• Slow cooked beef is easier for children to chew, my 3 yr old approves!
• Because you are slow cooking, you can use some of the cheaper cuts of meat so it’s also saves money
• If you’re short on time, and you have an Instant Pot, it can be done in 20 mins

What You’ll Need

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Slow cooker or Instant pot

Saucepan if using a slow cooker

Stirring spoon

Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients for Slow cooker Beef Barley Stew

Lard or tallow for sauteing

Onion – diced

Carrots – diced

Peas ( I used frozen)

Beef (I used some braising steak I had left over)

Barley – no need to pre-soak

Beef stock (I used chicken as it was what I had on hand and was still yummy)

Maple syrup/honey ( I love Maple Syrup as it gives a better savoury flavour)

Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper

Seasonings to taste – I used Basil, oregano Rosemary and cumin

The How

This is Stan. He is my kitchen helper. Stan, Stan the Instant Pot man. No I don’t get money for him, I should since I recommend him to everyone I know but I do not. I have two that I bought with my own money.

I love using the Instant Pot for this recipe for one main reason. The Instant Pot has a ‘sauté’ function which means I don’t have to use a separate pan to brown the onions and meat! If using a regular slow cooker, that is the first job so add fat to a saucepan.

Add the lard/tallow to the pot and press ‘sauté’

When fat has melted, add in onions and carrots and sauté until onions are soft

Now here you can take it all out and brown the meat on it’s own if you prefer, to get a good seal on the meat, but honestly, I just throw mine in with it and it browns fine.

Add in the peas and seasonings at this point

Don’t laugh at my spelling of Worcestershire sauce, it was a small label….

Add the barley, stock and Worcestershire sauce, and splash in the maple syrup.

Now don’t panic, at this stage, it really doesn’t look appetising, I know. But trust me. It will do.

Add your salt and pepper (seriously, it can make or break the dish) and set the slow cooker function for 8 hrs.

Some time later….

Go about your day, stirring occasionally if you’re pottering around, but it’s not necessary.

In 8hrs, you will have the tastiest, filling winter warmer, for when fool’s spring foxes you again!

Serve with fresh bread slathered in butter, and topped with fresh herbs.

Goes well with:

Honey Oat Bread

If you liked this recipe, please share it! Thanks friends x

Slow Cooked Beef and Barley Stew

Kimberley

Hearty and warming, this slow cooked beef and barley stew is so easy to make either in the slow cooker, or the Instant Pot. Set it going in the morning and you can come home to the delicious aroma of home cooked food with little to no effort!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 237 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Slow cooker/ Instant Pot
• 1 Meauring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

• 1 tbsp lard or tallow
• 1/2 Medium white onion Diced
• 1 Carrot Diced
• 35 g Frozen peas
• 500 g Stewing/ braising steak
• 45 g Barley
• 1 ltr Beef/chicken stock
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 tbsp Maple syrup
• 1 tsp each; basil, oregano,rosemary
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1tsp black pepper

Instructions

 

• Turn Instant Pot onto sauté function and warm fat.
• (If using slow cooker, saute in a separate pan)
• Fry onions, carrots and peas in the lard until onions are softened.
• Add in beef and brown
• Switch Instant Pot to slow cooker and add the barley. Stir to coat in fat and then add seasonings
• Add stock, maple syrup and Worcestershire sauce, along with salt and pepper and close the lid.
• Cook on low for 8 hrs
• Stir and serve topped with fresh herbs

Notes

For the quicker version in the Instant Pot, follow instructions until slow cook, then set to pressure cook, making sure the vent is closed and cook on high for 15 mins. Manual vent at the end of cook time.

Honey can be used as the sweetener, but we find that Maple syrup gives a slightly lighter flavour.

A lovely addition to this would be to replace the maple syrup with a sweet chilli sauce for a little kick!

 

Keyword Beef, Dinner,, Main course