Hearty barley root stew (Printable)

Nourishing barley stew with root vegetables, perfect for cozy meals on chilly days.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
03 - 2 parsnips, peeled and diced
04 - 1 medium turnip, peeled and diced
05 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 celery stalks, diced
08 - 1 small leek, sliced (white and light green parts only)
09 - 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed

→ Liquids

10 - 5 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Herbs & Seasonings

12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, leek, and minced garlic; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Incorporate diced carrots, parsnips, turnip, celery, and cubed potato. Stir occasionally and cook for 5 minutes.
03 - Mix in rinsed barley, bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Pour vegetable broth into the pot and increase heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
05 - Lower heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 40 to 45 minutes until barley and vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove bay leaf and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns humble pantry staples into something that tastes like you planned it all week.
  • The barley gets so creamy and tender it almost melts into the broth.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when everything has had time to settle together.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the barley or you'll end up with a cloudy, starchy broth that clings weird.
  • If it looks too thick after sitting, just add a splash of water or broth when you reheat it.
03 -
  • Cut your vegetables about the same size so they cook evenly and you're not fishing out crunchy carrots.
  • Let it rest off the heat for five minutes before serving, the flavors settle and deepen in that little pause.

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