Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does my beef barley soup have no flavor? ›

That's because the beef needs time to cook, and if we boil the vegetables for the same amount of time, they'll become flavorless wads of mush. Don't worry: We'll add them back to the pot long enough to tenderize them and get more of their flavor into the broth.

Do you cook barley before adding it to soup? Your beef barley soup will simmer long enough to cook the barley. There is no need for the additional step of cooking the barley first. The barley takes about 30 minutes to cook completely.

As barley is a starch the best you can do is dilute it, or thin it out a bit. You may need to add a fair bit of broth and more of your vegetal ingredients. Possibly to the point of doubling your recipe. It will depend on when you find the taste and texture to have gotten back to acceptable levels.

Barley's fiber content helps prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract. Eating fiber-rich foods such as barley may also contribute to weight loss. This is because it functions as a “bulking agent” in the digestive system, making a person feel fuller for longer.

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says.

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

There is no need to rinse barley before using it. To enhance the flavor of barley, heat the kernels in a skillet for a few minutes or cook it in broth instead of water. You can save time by cooking extra barley and freezing it. Add it to soups or salads as you need it.

Farro and barley, being whole grains, contain more fiber and health benefits than white pasta or white rice. Barley and farro are similar in that they are high in fiber and also contain protein. Fiber content allows barley and farro to play a role in lowering cholesterol and strengthening the immune system.

If you have a choice, pick hulled barley over pearl. Hulled barley is a whole grain and contains more fiber and nutrients. Pearl barely is considered refined, but it is probably one of the most nutritious refined grains available. It contains a lot of fiber and is quite healthy to consume.

Therefore, if you have IBS or a sensitive digestive tract, you may want to avoid barley. Lastly, since barley has a strong effect on blood sugar levels, you may want to exercise caution while eating it if you have diabetes and are taking any blood-sugar-lowering medications or insulin ( 29 ).

Is barley soup anti inflammatory? ›

Research shows that barley helps to regulate blood pressure, boost immunity and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

However, if you consume too much of it, its fiber content can cause stomach cramps, constipation, bloating, and gas. Unwanted weight gain. Barley water is high in calories per serving. You can further increase the calorie count if you add fruit juices or sweeteners like honey to your barley water mix.

Barley has been shown to have antitumor properties through regulating the immune system and limiting cancer cell proliferation and dissemination. Furthermore, barley possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics, which may contribute to its anticancer potential.

A one-cup serving of cooked, pearled, barley provides 193 calories, most of which are carbohydrates. You'll consume 44.3 grams of carbohydrates in a single serving, 6 grams of fiber, and 0.4 grams of naturally-occurring sugar. The rest of the carbohydrates in barley are starch.

Barley water has also been known to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure has often been known to be one of the leading causes of the cardiovascular disease called atherosclerosis. Since barley water helps reduce and regularize blood pressure, it can effectively help reduce the onset of atherosclerosis.

Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients. Some freshly cracked pepper helps, too!

The best way to ensure a flavorful soup is to brown the beef and onions in the beginning. If the soup tastes bland at the end of cooking, add more spices and herbs. After adding, allow the soup to cook a little longer so the flavors to meld together.

A good stock isn't done until it's been strained, seasoned and cooled. Skimping on any of these steps can leave you with stock that's murky, bland or stale-tasting. To strain, pour the stock into a colander lined with at least two layers of cheesecloth.

Bland diets (rations) lacking in diversity lead to bland flavored beef. The beef may be tender and juicy but it will only taste like whatever it was seasoned with. The same is true with chicken breasts. Beef needs a diverse forage-based (mineralized) diet to create flavor.