Photo of Hearty Beef-Barley Stew by WW

Hearty Beef-Barley Stew

5
Points® value
Total Time
10 hr 20 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
10 hr
Serves
8
Difficulty
Easy
Barley adds chewy, satisfying texture to this stew, and slow cooking turns the beef meltingly tender. A secret shortcut here? Tomato juice, to give the broth body and flavor.

Ingredients

Uncooked pearl barley

¾ cup(s)

Carrots

3 medium, cut into 1/4-inch dice

Onion

1 medium

Garlic

3 clove(s), large, minced

Rosemary

1 tbsp(s), chopped

Canned beef broth

4 cup(s), 1 (32-ounce) carton

Canned unsalted tomato juice

3 cup(s), or low-sodium

Water

2 cup(s)

Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp(s)

Kosher salt

¾ tsp(s)

Black pepper

¼ tsp(s)

Uncooked trimmed bottom round steak

1 pound(s), cut into 1 1/2 to 2-inch chunks

Chopped frozen spinach

10 oz, thawed

Fresh parsley

2 tbsp(s), flat-leaf variety, chopped

Instructions

  1. In a 5- or 6-qt slow cooker, combine barley, carrots, onion, garlic, rosemary, broth, tomato juice, 2 cups water, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Add beef. Cover and cook until barley is softened and beef is fork-tender, 4 to 5 hours on High or 8 to 10 hours on Low.
  2. With tongs, transfer beef to cutting board. With two forks, break beef into chunks and return to slow cooker. Add spinach and cook until heated through, about 10 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parsley.
  3. Per serving: 11/2 cups