Best 7 Southwest Barley Stew Recipes

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Savor the delightful flavors of the Southwest in a hearty bowl of Barley Stew, a tantalizing blend of wholesome ingredients that'll warm your soul. This delectable stew features tender barley, succulent chicken, a medley of colorful vegetables, and an aromatic blend of spices that capture the essence of the Southwest. With three variations to choose from, this recipe caters to every palate. Dive into the classic Southwest Barley Stew, brimming with the flavors of corn, black beans, tomatoes, and green chilies. For a vegetarian delight, try the Southwest Barley Stew with Black Beans and Roasted Vegetables, where roasted red peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms add a vibrant twist. And for a slow-cooker convenience, the Slow Cooker Southwest Barley Stew offers hands-off cooking, allowing the flavors to meld seamlessly overnight. No matter your preference, each variation promises a satisfying and flavorful meal that's perfect for a cozy dinner or a casual gathering.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN BARLEY CHOWDER



Southwest Chicken Barley Chowder image

Mashed squash helps make this chowder creamy but not heavy, and it's a favorite way to get barley on the table. My kids even ask for leftovers for lunch. -Pamela Cleghorn, Campbellsburg, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 package (12 ounces) frozen mashed winter squash, thawed (about 1-1/3 cups)
3/4 cup quick-cooking barley
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium taco seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 carton (32 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups frozen corn
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Diced avocado and chopped tomatoes, optional

Steps:

  • In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and onion; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or just until onion is tender., Stir in squash, barley, seasonings and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10-12 minutes or until barley is tender., Add beans, corn, cream, salsa and cilantro; heat through, stirring occasionally. If desired, serve with avocado and tomatoes. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or milk if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 298 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 46mg cholesterol, Sodium 681mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

SOUTHWEST BARLEY & LENTIL SOUP



Southwest Barley & Lentil Soup image

My family makes lentil soup every new year for good luck. My mom has been making it since I was little. Over time, we've tweaked it so that all our family and friends love it. -Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h10m

Yield 12 servings (4-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package (14 ounces) smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced
4 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 package (16 ounces) dried brown lentils, rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup medium pearl barley
1/2 cup frozen corn
10 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

Steps:

  • In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add kielbasa; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until browned. Remove from pot with a slotted spoon., Add carrots and onion to same pot; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and cumin; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in kielbasa and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 35-45 minutes or until lentils and barley are tender, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 366 calories, Fat 11g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 904mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 17g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

BEEF AND BARLEY STEW



Beef and Barley Stew image

Melting-tender beef chunks, perfectly cooked barley, and all the hearty veggies one can ask for. Best of all, it's freezer-friendly!

Provided by Chungah Rhee

Categories     entree

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds top sirloin steak, diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 medium sweet onion, diced
3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery ribs, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/3 cup dry red or white wine
8 cups beef stock
1 cup pearled barley, rinsed
5 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Season steak with salt and pepper, to taste. Add to the stockpot and cook, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned, about 6-8 minutes; set aside. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and mushrooms, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the stockpot. Stir in beef stock, barley, thyme, bay leaf and steak. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until barley is tender, about 45 minutes. Remove and discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Stir in parsley; season with salt and pepper, to taste.* Serve immediately.

SOUTHWEST STEW



Southwest Stew image

Our whole family loves foods spiced with picante sauce, so I developed this recipe! This dish is very quick and easy to make, and it also reheats well. Sometimes I add cooked, sliced potatoes to the stew for a little variety, too.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 pounds ground beef
1-1/2 cups diced onion
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup picante sauce, mild, medium or hot
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
Shredded cheddar cheese, optional

Steps:

  • In large skillet, cook beef and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts :

BEEF BARLEY STEW



Beef Barley Stew image

I like barley, so I knew I had to try this beef and barley stew recipe when I ran across it in a newspaper some years ago. It's nice to have a tasty, filling dish that's lower in fat. -June Formanek, Belle Plaine, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h45m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) beef broth
1 cup medium pearl barley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 medium carrots, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, brown meat in oil in batches. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, saute onion until crisp-tender. Add the broth, barley, seasonings and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour. , Add carrots; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30-40 minutes or until meat and carrots are tender. Add parsley just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 266 calories, Fat 8g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 40mg cholesterol, Sodium 618mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

BEAN AND BARLEY STEW



Bean and Barley Stew image

Make and share this Bean and Barley Stew recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Laka

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

450 g dry pinto beans
450 g dry pinto beans
150 g pearl barley
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 onions, chopped (about 250 g)
4 garlic cloves, chopped
300 g smoked pork necks, diced
1 carrot, peeled (150 g)
100 g celery root, peeled
100 g parsley roots, peeled
1 red horn pepper, cut into chunks
1 dried bay leaf
1 celery, leaf
1500 ml water
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Soak dry pinto beans in plenty of water overnight. Drain and rinse the beans.
  • Soak pearled barley in plenty of water overnight. Drain and rinse the barley. Cook al dente in a double amount of water. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large pot sauté onions and garlic in sunflower oil for 5 minutes until soft, stirring frequently. Add diced smoked pork neck, stir and sauté for 5 more minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make a mirepoix (soffritto or Holy trinity) from carrot, celery and parsley root and red horn pepper: cut the root vegetables into smaller pieces and coarsely chop in a blender. Add horn pepper chunks and pulse once or twice.
  • Add mirepoix to onions and smoked meat, stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add beans, bay and celery leaf, water, and salt and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat, cover the pot and continue to cook for 25 - 30 minutes.
  • Stir in cooked barley, continue to cook for 5 minutes or until the beans are cooked (al dente).
  • Season with ground black pepper and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 316.7, Fat 7.8, SaturatedFat 1.2, Sodium 663.4, Carbohydrate 59.4, Fiber 10.6, Sugar 3.5, Protein 12.8

SOUTHWESTERN BARLEY SALAD



Southwestern Barley Salad image

Cilantro comes through in this colorful side that's zesty but not too spicy. It also makes a great luncheon dish when served with sesame breadsticks, sherbet and sugar cookies. It's sure to satisfy! -Tommi Roylance of Charlo, Montana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 cups cooked medium pearl barley
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1-1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1-1/2 cups chopped seeded tomatoes
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 lettuce leaves
1 ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the water, lemon juice, onion, oil and garlic; shake well. Pour over barley mixture and toss to coat. Serve on lettuce-lined plates. Garnish with avocado and tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 233 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 490mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Use a variety of vegetables. This will give your stew a more complex flavor and texture. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, corn, and tomatoes.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices. Chili powder, cumin, and oregano are all classic southwestern spices, but you can also add others like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or chipotle powder to taste.
  • Use a good quality beef broth. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your stew. If you don't have any beef broth on hand, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead.
  • Cook the stew low and slow. This will allow the flavors to develop and deepen. You can cook the stew in a Dutch oven over low heat on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours.
  • Serve the stew with your favorite toppings. Some good options include sour cream, avocado, salsa, or cornbread.

Conclusion:

Southwest barley stew is a hearty, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a cold night. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give this stew a try. You won't be disappointed.

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