Beef and Barley Soup

Beef and Barley Soup

La Beef and Barley Soup - Canva Pro

A traditional dish from British and Northern Irish culture.

If you’re in Northern Ireland, and want to warm up after a rainy day of exploring, don’t hesitate to try the Beef and Barley Soup. This beef and barley soup is a local classic. Although not fundamentally Northern Irish, it is part of British cuisine, and remains a particularly popular dish in Ulster. A must-see for the curious!

Taste the La Beef and Barley Soup

A hearty, generous dish that gets straight to the point!

Feel like warming up and treating yourself to some comfort food? Try Beef and Barley Soup! This rich, tasty soup is a mainstay on cold days in Northern Ireland!

It’s a soup that combines barley (a timeless classic of Irish island cuisine) and beef.

The simplicity of the ingredients used is the key to the dish’s popularity. The soup usually consists of tender chunks of beef, pearl barley, carrots, celery, onions, and sometimes potatoes, all slow-cooked in a rich broth to develop a depth of flavor.

Herbs such as bay leaf, thyme and parsley are often added to complement and enhance the taste.

In Northern Ireland, the soup can be garnished with a touch of cream or served with a piece of soda bread for dipping in the broth.

Beef and Barley Soup is a real pleasure to eat. Gourmet, it’s a dish that Northern Irish people particularly enjoy in winter. It’s an ally in the event of flu, angina or a small, persistent virus.

Because as well as warming you up, this soup is also good for your health. Barley is an excellent source of fiber, aiding digestion and blood sugar control, while beef provides the protein needed for muscle building and tissue repair.

What’s more, the vegetables add essential vitamins and minerals, making this soup a well-balanced dish.

Recipe: Beef and Barley Soup

Ingredients

  • 450 g braising beef, diced
  • 150 g pearl barley
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 liter beef stock
  • 500 ml water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • A few sprigs of fresh thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for cooking

Preparation

  1. Prepare the ingredients: Start by preparing all your vegetables and dice the beef.
  2. Sear the beef: In a large pot, heat a little vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced beef and sear until golden brown on all sides. Remove the beef and set aside.
  3. Brown the vegetables: In the same pot, add a little more oil if necessary. Add the onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Sauté until onions are translucent.
  4. Deglaze the pot: Pour in a little stock to deglaze the pot, scraping up any cooking juices that have formed at the bottom.
  5. Cooking the soup: Add the remaining stock, water, reserved beef, pearl barley, bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Partially cover and cook for about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until beef and barley are tender.
  6. Season: At the end of cooking, remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  7. Serve: Serve warm, with crusty bread or soda bread if desired.

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