Savory Pioneer Woman Beef Barley Soup Recipe to Cozy Up With

Pioneer Woman’s beef barley soup emerges as a culinary hug for those frosty nights when comfort calls.

Packed with robust flavors and nourishing ingredients, this recipe transforms ordinary meal moments into extraordinary dining experiences.

Succulent beef chunks dance with plump barley pearls in a luxurious broth that whispers stories of home kitchens.

Tender vegetables mingle seamlessly, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that warm you from the inside out.

Every ladle promises a hearty embrace of wholesome goodness and nostalgic memories.

This rustic masterpiece elevates simple ingredients into a spectacular meal that celebrates home cooking.

Check out this soul-soothing soup and let its magic transport you to a world of pure culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

Everything That Goes Into Beef Barley Soup

• Oxtails: Choose fresh, well-trimmed cuts with a good amount of marbling for rich, tender flavor.

• Leeks, Onion: Select firm, crisp leeks and onions with no soft spots or sprouting.
• Carrots: Pick bright orange, smooth carrots without blemishes or soft areas.
• Celery: Look for bright green, crisp stalks with no wilting or browning.
• Garlic: Choose plump, firm bulbs with tight, unbroken skin.

• Thyme Sprigs, Bay Leaves: Fresh herbs provide more vibrant flavor than dried versions.
• Salt, Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper and high-quality sea salt for depth.

• Beef Broth: Opt for low-sodium versions to control saltiness of the final dish.
• Barley: Select pearl barley for quicker cooking and softer texture.
• Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for richer, more robust base flavor.

What You’ll Use to Cook Beef Barley Soup

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Perfect for browning meat and simmering soup with deep, even heat.
• Slotted Spoon: Helps remove oxtails safely without losing delicious cooking juices.
• Kitchen Twine: Ideal for tying herbs together, making herb removal a breeze.
• Cutting Board: Essential for chopping vegetables into uniform pieces.
• Sharp Knife: Helps prepare leeks, carrots, onions, and celery with precision.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate liquid and barley measurements.
• Separate Pot: Used for cooking barley independently from the main soup.
• Ladle: Great for serving soup into warm bowls with ease.
• Wooden Spoon: Helps stir vegetables and mix ingredients smoothly.

How to Simmer Pioneer Woman Beef Barley Soup

• Kickstart the Flavor Explosion

Heat olive oil in a robust pot, creating a sizzling stage for our star ingredient – oxtails. Season these meaty gems generously, then dance them around the pot until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust. Scoop them out and set aside for their grand return.

• Veggie Symphony

Transform the same pot into a colorful canvas. Toss in chopped leeks, carrots, onions, celery, and garlic. Let them mingle and soften, releasing their aromatic magic and building a flavor foundation that’ll make taste buds sing.

• Herbal Harmony

Craft a quick herb bundle with thyme and bay leaves, tying them together like a culinary bouquet. Drop this fragrant package into the pot, ready to infuse deep, complex notes into our soup.

• Slow Simmer Magic

Reunite the browned oxtails with their veggie companions. Pour in rich beef broth, creating a luxurious liquid landscape. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat to a whisper. Let everything simmer and meld together, transforming into a soul-warming dish.

• Barley Brilliance

While the soup develops its character, cook barley in a separate pot until tender and plump. This hearty grain will add substance and texture to our already incredible creation.

• Final Fusion

Merge the perfectly cooked barley into the soup, allowing the grains to absorb all the incredible flavors. Give everything a final 15-minute cuddle on low heat, letting each ingredient tell its delicious story.

• Serve with Love

Ladle this liquid comfort into waiting bowls. Choose to leave oxtails swimming in the soup or serve them as a side. Each spoonful promises a journey of comfort and pure culinary joy.

Tips for Beef and Grain Ratios

• Elevate Your Oxtail Barley Soup Experience
• Layer Flavor Boosters: Drizzle high-quality extra virgin olive oil or sprinkle fresh chopped parsley just before serving to enhance taste and aroma. Fresh herbs instantly brighten the dish's depth and complexity.
• Smart Meat Modification: Remove oxtail meat from bones after cooking and shred it back into soup for easier eating. This technique ensures every spoonful includes tender meat pieces without wrestling with bones at the table.
• Texture Transformation Trick: Toast barley in a dry skillet before cooking to develop a nutty, richer flavor profile. This simple step adds unexpected depth and complexity to the entire dish.
• Winter Wellness Hack: Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar during simmering to help break down meat proteins, making oxtails incredibly tender while providing a subtle tangy undertone that balances the richness.

Best Ways to Serve Beef Barley Soup

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice a warm, artisan sourdough or rustic baguette to soak up the rich, flavorful broth. The crispy bread adds delightful texture and helps capture every last drop of delicious soup.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor. These green herbs will brighten the deep, hearty tones of the oxtail soup.
• Create a Cozy Dinner Experience: Serve alongside a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the oxtail soup. This combination makes for a satisfying and complete meal that warms you from the inside out.
• Add Wine Pairing: Choose a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to complement the deep, meaty flavors of the soup. The wine's bold character will enhance the overall dining experience.

Storage and Leftovers for Hearty Soup

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover oxtail barley soup in airtight containers, cooling completely before refrigerating. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Freeze Smart Portions: Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Frozen soup maintains quality for up to 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw refrigerated soup in the fridge overnight. Warm gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain rich flavor. Add splash of broth if soup seems too thick.
• Barley Storage Strategy: Keep uncooked barley in sealed container in cool, dry pantry. Properly stored whole grain barley stays fresh for 6-12 months, ensuring you're always ready to create this hearty dish.

Hearty Pioneer Woman Beef Barley Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Warm pioneer woman beef barley soup blends hearty chunks of tender beef with robust vegetables and nutty barley. Rich broth and satisfying ingredients create a comforting meal you’ll savor with each nourishing spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) beef oxtails, trimmed
• 10 cups (2.4 liters) beef broth, canned
• 1 cup (170 g) pearled barley
• 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, chopped
• 4 carrots, diced into ½-inch pieces
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced into ½-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil, high-quality
• 2 sprigs thyme, fresh
• 3 bay leaves
• salt, kosher, to taste
• pepper, black, freshly ground, to taste

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Instructions

1. Seasoning and Searing: Season oxtails with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and thoroughly brown oxtails, developing a golden exterior that intensifies flavor. Remove browned meat to a separate plate.
2. Vegetable Foundation: Reduce heat and sauté leeks, carrots, onions, celery, and garlic until softened and lightly caramelized, creating an aromatic base for the soup.
3. Herb Infusion and Liquid Integration: Tie thyme and bay leaves into an herb bundle. Return oxtails to the pot, pour in beef broth, and submerge the herb bundle. Season the liquid and bring to a boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
4. Slow Transformation: Cover and allow the stew to simmer for 60-75 minutes, enabling meat to become incredibly tender while developing rich, layered flavors. Periodically skim excess fat from the surface.
5. Barley Preparation: Simultaneously cook pearl barley in water until tender yet slightly firm. Drain and set aside.
6. Flavor Melding: Remove herb bundle from the stew. Incorporate cooked barley into the pot and continue simmering for an additional 15-20 minutes to harmonize flavors.
7. Final Touches: Adjust seasoning to taste. Decide whether to serve with or without oxtails. Ladle the robust, steaming stew into warm bowls and serve immediately.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, well-marbled oxtails for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring a rich, deeply satisfying soup experience.
• Caramelization is Key: Take time to brown oxtails thoroughly, creating a golden-brown crust that develops complex, deep flavor foundations for the entire dish.
• Herb Bundle Technique: Tying herbs together with kitchen twine allows easy removal and prevents loose herbs from scattered throughout the soup, maintaining a clean presentation.
• Barley Cooking Precision: Cook barley separately to control its texture, ensuring it remains slightly al dente and doesn’t become mushy when added to the final soup.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg