🥩🥣 Hearty Beef Barley Soup

Servings: 6–8 🛒 Ingredients 1½ lbs beef stew meat, cut into bite-size pieces¾ cup pearl barley1 large onion, diced3 carrots, sliced3 celery stalks, sliced3 garlic cloves, minced8 cups beef broth1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes2 tbsp tomato paste2 tbsp olive oil1 tsp dried thyme1 tsp dried parsley1 bay leaf1 tsp salt½ tsp black pepper½ tsp paprika2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped👩‍🍳 Instructions Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt, pepper, and paprika. Brown for 4–5 minutes, working in batches if needed.Sauté the vegetables: Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.Build the soup: Stir in tomato paste, then add beef broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, parsley, and bay leaf.Simmer the beef: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45–60 minutes, until the beef begins to become tender.Add the barley: Stir in the pearl barley and continue simmering for 30–40 minutes, or until the barley is tender.Finish: Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or homemade cornbread.