You guys often ask for slow cooker recipes and I am on a mission to fulfill your desires π This dish is inspired by Pilaf recipe, but with a healthier twist to it. Barley is a whole grain that has a lot of great nutrients, it will keep you filled for hours, making it a great option for those who are trying to eat healthier.

You don’t have to precook the meat and vegetables, although I do like to, since it adds extra flavors to the dish. But on days when I am just a busy bee, I would toss everything and let it do its magic. Also, I like to pre-cut everything the night before, that way it won’t hold up my plans in the morning.
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Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb Beef
- 1 Onion
- 1 Carrot
- 1 1/2 cup Barley
- 1 1/2 lb Mushrooms
- 1 tbsp Better Than Bullion (Beef or Chicken)
- 4 Bay Leaves
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients for the dish. Cut mushrooms into four pieces, cut meat into cubes, dice onions and carrots into chunks.
- Preheat skillet to a high heat, brown the meat until it's browned. Remove meat form the skillet and place it into a slow cooker.
- Into the same skillet, place carrots and onion and cook until they are lightly browned. Place them into a slow cooker.
- Brown mushrooms on a skillet and add them into the slow cooker.
- Into the slow cooker, add in barley, bay leaves, better than bullion and season with salt. Fill the slow cooker with water, covering 2/3 of the ingredients(I used about 2.5 cups).
- Depending on your slow cooker you would need to cook the food on high for 2-4 hours. Check while it's cooking to see if it's ready.
Nutrition Facts
Slow-Cooker Beef and Barley Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 195
Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 32mg11%
Sodium 38mg2%
Potassium 374mg11%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 683IU14%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 19mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
If I replace barley with white rice do I have to adjust anything?
Hey Julie, you may need to adjust liquids. Enjoy
Hi. Which cut of beef and do you rinse the barley before adding it? Thanks.
I donβt rinse barley. Typically in this recipe I use roast but you can use any cut that is fatty.
Hi! have you tried making this in the instant pot? What do you think would be the water /barley ratio?
I haven't tried but it would work in insta pot but it would work, it will take about 30 minutes. For insta pot I would fully cover the ingredients with water. If you try this option, let me know how it goes.
Please answer ASAP! π what if i have ten minute rice? Do I add it in ten minutes prior to the fish being done? Or should I still put it in the beginning? Also I don't have better then bullion.. Can I use vegeta or a cube of galina blanca? If yes what would be the water ratio? Please answer quick I want km make it now..
Sorry not rice but barley.. Ten minute barley..
That would change the recipe completely. I would heave tot est it out to figure out how that would work. Flavors build up as it cooks for a long time, with 10 minutes, I dont think it would taste as good.
Do you think it would work with brown rice? And any ideas about how much water it would need and time to cook? I made it with barley already and we loved it. My husband who said he won't eat that grain ate and and didn't even know that he was eating it because it was so good. So thank you π
I think same measurements and time would work but I haven't tried it myself.
This is really tasty, everyone loved it. I added more carrots to give sweeter taste =))
So awesome!!! Thank you for sharing π great idea with carrots.
How long will it take a slow cooker to cook on low? Thanks
I would say double the time but you can always check while its cooking.
Would using White rice be okay in this recipe instead of barley?
Yes you can but you will have to adjust cooking time, just check back in it once in a while.
I can't find "Better Than Bullion" anywhere! Can I substitute "
Better Than Bullion" with bullion cubes or chicken broth? And is so, how much will I need?
Thank you so much!!!
Yes you can use seasoning cubes. One or two cubes will do it, depending on the size.
Will this work with quinoa
???
Yes, but the cooking time may be different on quinoa.
Made it today, great for a busy weeknight dinner!!!! Pinning it! And I think it would be awesome with buckwheat too,,,,
Thanks for pinning, love you for that! Seems like a few people have been giving me the same idea. I got to get on it π
Could you use buckwheat instead of barley? Something I have in the pantry π
Yes, I love that idea. I want to make it with buckwheat now also π I am just not sure how much water you would need, I am assuming a little less. Than you can just add more if it needs more. Tell me how it turns out!
Do you cook it on high or low? how many cups of water did you use? Can you add vegeta instead of salt?
Vegeta is 100% MSG.. I would not recommend it :/
I recently saw Vegata at the store that is MSG free. I wonder if its better.
You can use vegeta, I have used about 2:5 cups of water. And cooked it on high.