Beef and Barley with Mushrooms (Print View)

Tender beef, pearl barley and baby bella mushrooms in a rich, aromatic broth with smoky pancetta.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb beef chuck roast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
02 - 4 oz pancetta, diced

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 lb baby bella mushrooms, sliced
04 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 medium carrots, diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Grains

08 - 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 8 cups low-sodium beef broth
10 - 1 cup water

→ Aromatics & Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 2 bay leaves
13 - 1 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
15 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
16 - 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
17 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook until browned and crispy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
02 - Season beef chuck cubes with salt and pepper. Add to the pot in batches, searing until browned on all sides, approximately 5-6 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to the pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release their juices and begin to brown, approximately 6-8 minutes.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Return beef and pancetta to the pot. Add barley, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and barley is fully cooked.
06 - Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • The pancetta and mushrooms create a depth of flavor that tastes like you've been simmering this for days, not hours.
  • Pearl barley adds a nutty chewiness that makes each spoonful feel substantial and satisfying without being heavy.
  • It's a one-pot meal that actually improves the next day, so you can make it ahead and feel like a genius on busy nights.
02 -
  • Don't skip the searing step—those browned, caramelized surfaces are where the most intense flavor lives, and rushing it will make the soup taste flat.
  • If your barley isn't quite tender at the 1.5 hour mark, give it another 10-15 minutes; every pot and stove is different, and it's better to be patient than crunchy.
03 -
  • A splash of dry red wine added before simmering transforms this into something restaurant-worthy without any extra effort.
  • If you make this regularly, roast your own beef broth from bones and scraps—it takes time but creates a soup that tastes like it's been made with love and intention.
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