Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

Ingredients -

2 pounds Beef Stew Meat, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large White Onion, chopped
3 Celery Stalks, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3 Carrots, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 small Red Bell Pepper, chopped
5 cups Cold Water
2 tablespoons Beef Bouillon Granules
2 tablespoons minced Fresh Parsley Leaves
1 teaspoon Coarse Salt
1/2 teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon chopped Fresh Basil
1 Bay Leaf
1/2 cups Medium Pearl Barley

Preparation:

1. Add beef stew meat, chopped onion, chopped celery, chopped carrot, chopped bell pepper, cold water, beef bouillon, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh basil, and bay leaf to slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on LOW 5 hours.

3. Stir in pearl barley

4. Cover and cook on LOW 1 hour.

5. Remove bay leaf.

6. Serve hot.

Soup Making Tip

Carrots

Fresh looking tops that are crisp and bright green are a good indication of a carrots age and freshness.

Soup Making Tip

Beef Stew Meat

Beef stew meat can be any of the less expensive shoulder or roast cuts. Beef stew meat is often found pre-cut in supermarkets.