Easy Beef & Barley Soup

I do not know about you, but there's nothing better than a big bowl of warm soup on a chilly winter day. I love making this soup in the winter because it is so hearty and filling. Paired with some warm buttered bread and you have the perfect winter weather meal. This soup freezes well, so you can double the recipe and bag up the extras for an easy and delicious dinner any day of the week!

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients...

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp garlic, diced
2 carrots sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
2 cups cooked ground beef, fat drained
6 cups reduced-sodium beef broth

1/3 cup tomato powder
1 can petite diced tomatoes 14-15 oz, undrained
⅔ cup barley
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
1 package beef gravy mix
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons dried parsley
salt & pepper to taste


Directions:

1. Brown ground beef in a large pot. Drain off fat. 

2. Add oil to same pan you used to cook ground beef in and add onions and garlic over medium heat until softened.

3. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. 

4. Reduce heat and simmer covered about 40-50 minutes or until barley is cooked.

5. Remove bay leaf and serve.