Freezer-Friendly Beef Barley Stew

Name: Freezer-Friendly Beef Barley Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Cuisine: European, British
Ingredients: 1 lb beef stew meat (diced small); 12-16 oz frozen peas and carrots (or 1-1/4 cups diced carrot); 1 diced onion; 3 diced celery ribs (optional); 15 oz can tomato sauce; 0.5 cup pearl barley; 5 cups water; 1 tsp parsley flakes; 0.25 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp granulated sugar (optional); 2 tbsp beef bouillon powder

5 steps

Prep:15minCook:6h

This beef barley stew is perfect for meal prepping. Mix ingredients, freeze, then cook when ready. Enjoy savory flavors with tender beef and wholesome barley.

Updated at: Sat, 26 Jul 2025 01:55:58 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Great

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Low

Nutrition per serving

Calories216.9 kcal (11%)

Total Fat4.4 g (6%)

Carbs25.3 g (10%)

Sugars3.9 g (4%)

Protein21.6 g (43%)

Sodium1353.4 mg (68%)

Fiber5.9 g (21%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

6 servings

1 lbbeef stew meat

diced small

12 ozfrozen peas and carrots

or 1-1/4 cups diced carrot

15 ozcan tomato sauce

½ cupPearl barley

5 cupswater

1 tspparsley flakes

¼ tspblack pepper

1 tspgranulated sugar

optional

2 Tbspbeef bouillon powder

Instructions

Step 1

Prepare Freezer Bag: In a large bowl, combine beef stew meat, peas and carrots, onion, celery, tomato sauce, pearl barley, water, parsley flakes, black pepper, sugar, and beef bouillon powder. Mix well.

Step 2

Freeze the Stew: Transfer the mixture to a 1-gallon freezer bag or airtight container. Label as 'Beef Barley Stew - Cook in Crockpot or Instant Pot'. Remove excess air and freeze flat.

Step 3

Thaw and Cook (Slow Cooker): Thaw the frozen stew in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours. Stir before serving.

Step 4

Thaw and Cook (Instant Pot): Thaw the frozen stew in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer to an Instant Pot. Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook setting for 30 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release. Stir before serving.

Step 5

Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.