Description
Hearty Ina Garten beef barley soup delivers comfort through robust flavors and nourishing ingredients. Home cooks can savor this classic soup’s deep, satisfying warmth with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (0.9 kg) beef oxtails
- 10 cups (2.4 L) canned beef broth
- 2 cups (475 mL) leeks, chopped (white and light green parts)
- 2 cups (475 mL) carrots, diced
- 1 cup (240 mL) yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup (240 mL) celery, diced
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
- 1 cup (240 mL) pearled barley
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3 bay leaves
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Protein Preparation: Sear oxtails in a large pot with olive oil, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Brown evenly over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, then transfer to a separate plate using a slotted spoon.
- Vegetable Foundation: In the same pot, sauté leeks, carrots, onions, celery, and garlic until golden and fragrant. Create an herb bundle by tying thyme sprigs and adding bay leaves to the vegetable mixture.
- Liquid Integration: Return seared oxtails to the pot, pour in beef broth, and season with additional salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 60 minutes to tenderize meat and develop robust flavors.
- Barley Cooking: Simultaneously prepare barley in a separate pot by boiling water, adding barley, and simmering until tender. Drain excess water and set aside.
- Flavor Refinement: Remove thyme bundle and bay leaves. Skim accumulated fat from the surface to enhance soup clarity and taste. Gently incorporate cooked barley into the stew, stirring to distribute evenly.
- Final Touches: Continue cooking for 15-20 minutes to meld flavors and ensure barley reaches optimal tenderness. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, with option to enjoy oxtails within the soup or separately.
Notes
- Sear Meat Strategically: Brown oxtails thoroughly to unlock deep, rich flavor profiles and create a robust foundation for the soup.
- Vegetable Caramelization Matters: Cook vegetables slowly until golden-brown to develop complex, sweet undertones that elevate the overall taste.
- Herb Bundle Magic: Tie thyme sprigs together for easy removal and maximum flavor infusion without leaving herb fragments in the soup.
- Fat Skimming Technique: Remove surface fat to achieve a clearer, cleaner-tasting broth with concentrated beef essence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg