Savory Alberta-Inspired Beef and Barley Stew Recipe

Step 1

Bring 2 cups of water to a bubbly boil in a bowl that can go in the microwave, which should take around 2 minutes. Add beef bouillon cubes and onion soup mix to the boiling water, stirring until they completely dissolve.

Step 2

Next, transfer the flavorful bouillon mix along with the remaining 4 cups of water into a slow cooker set to High. Mix in the beef, potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until everything is well combined.

Step 3

Cover the slow cooker and let it simmer until the potatoes are soft enough to be pierced with a fork, typically around 4 1/2 to 5 hours. Sprinkle in the barley and continue cooking until it softens, which usually takes about 30 minutes more.

Step 4

When the cooking is done, turn off the slow cooker and remove the lid, letting it cool for about 5 minutes until the broth slightly thickens.