Beef Barley Soup

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef chuck or brisket, cut into 1-inch cubes
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter or ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 ½ pounds mushrooms, sliced
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• ¼ cup dry sherry, Madeira, stock, or water
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Hide ingredients for 4 cups Brown Beef Stock, Brown Vegetable Stock, or Beef Broth 1 4 cups Brown Beef Stock, Brown Vegetable Stock, or Beef Broth (opens in new tab) 4 cups Brown Beef Stock, Brown Vegetable Stock, or Beef Broth
  • 5 pounds meaty beef bones
  • 2 medium unpeeled onions, quartered
  • 2 carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 celery ribs, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 cups water or 1 cup white wine
  • 1 leek, halved lengthwise, well cleaned, and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 or 4 sprigs parsley
  • 2 or 3 sprigs thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ teaspoon white or black peppercorns
  • (2 whole cloves)
  • Cold water to cover

  Sub-recipe steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place in a lightly oiled roasting pan and roast for 15 minutes: 5 pounds meaty beef bones
  2. Add: 2 medium unpeeled onions, quartered; 2 carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces; 2 celery ribs, cut into 2-inch pieces
  3. Roast, stirring occasionally to prevent the vegetables from burning, until the bones are well browned, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a stockpot. Carefully pour off the fat from the roasting pan and add: 2 cups water or 1 cup white wine
  4. Scrape up any browned bits, then pour the deglazed liquid into the stockpot. Add: 1 leek, halved lengthwise, well cleaned, and cut into 2-inch pieces; 3 or 4 sprigs parsley; 2 or 3 sprigs thyme; 1 bay leaf; ¼ teaspoon white or black peppercorns; (2 whole cloves)
  5. Add: Cold water to cover
  6. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 6 to 8 hours. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface during the first hour of cooking and add water as needed to keep the ingredients covered. Strain and cool uncovered, then refrigerate covered. Skim off any fat before storing or using. Use within 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
• ¾ cup pearl barley
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Chopped parsley or thyme leaves