Alberta Beef Barley Stew

A hearty beef and barley concoction that is sure to warm the heart and soul on the coolest of days. This dish uses ingredients that you can find in most kitchens. Combine them in your slow cooker and in a short while, voila! Your family will be asking for seconds.

Ingredients

• 6 cups hot water, divided
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
• 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 0.5 large onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 ½ cups pearl barley

Steps

1. Heat 2 cups water to boiling in a microwave-safe bowl, about 2 minutes. Stir beef bouillon cubes and onion soup mix into boiling water until dissolved.
2. Pour bouillon mixture and remaining 4 cups water into a slow cooker; set cooker on High. Stir beef, potatoes, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic into the slow cooker.
3. Cook, covered, until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 4 1/2 to 5 hours. Stir barley into beef mixture; continue cooking until barley is tender, about 30 minutes.
4. Turn slow cooker off, remove cover, and allow to cool until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.