🥗 Beef & Barley Stew

Heart-Healthy | Low-Cholesterol | Low-A1C

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💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This was just so good. The recipe gives you the ingredient amounts to make 2, 1 or light lunch, which comes in handy. It took less than 30 minutes to make, and I wish I had made more! But I’ve got 2 more jars waiting for me in my pantry.

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🛒 Ingredients

Quart Jar – 2 servings

• 1/2 cup dehydrated shredded beef
• 1/3 cup pre-cooked dehydrated barley
• 1/3 cup dehydrated carrots
• 2–3 tbsp dehydrated onions
• 1–2 tbsp dehydrated celery
• 1/4 cup dehydrated mushrooms (optional but really good here)
• 2 tsp low-sodium beef bouillon
• Gentle Seasoning Blend:
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp parsley
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• Optional: tiny pinch rosemary (go light—it can take over)

PINT JAR (Single Serving)

• 1/4 cup beef
• 2–3 tbsp barley
• 2 tbsp carrots
• 1–2 tbsp onions/celery mix
• 1 tsp bouillon
• Pinch of each seasoning

HALF-PINT (Light Meal / Side)

• 2–3 tbsp beef
• 1–2 tbsp barley
• 1–2 tbsp veggies
• 1/2 tsp bouillon

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Use pre-cooked barley:
   • Cook barley fully (like you would for a side dish)
   • Spread thin
   • Dehydrate until dry
   • 👉 This ensures it rehydrates soft—not chewy or underdone.
2. Add 3–3½ cups boiling water (1 1/2 – 2 cups for Pint, 1 cup for Half Pint)
3. Cover and let sit 20–25 minutes (or simmer 10–15) (20 min for Pint, less for Half Pint)
4. 👉 Barley takes a little longer than noodles, but it’s worth it.

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💡 Tips & Swaps

• Given the current price of beef, I substituted some ground Turkey. Next time I make the jars up, I want to try shredded pork. Either way, it was absolutely delicious.
• Once you’ve added the ingredients and the water comes back to a boil, turn the burner down to a simmer. You won’t need more.
• If you have leftovers, let them cool and store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

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🥡 Meal Prep & Storage

• Reheat instructions: I would add a little moisture to the stew before you microwave it. I believe that either low sodium beef broth or water would work well. Heat for 2 minutes before checking.

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❤️ Heart-Healthy Notes

Using a dehydrated protein means that the excess fat is already gone from the meat. The barley and vegetables add fiber without overwhelming the protein. It was just that good!

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📣 Let’s Connect

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out!
#HeartHealthy #LowCholesterol #LowA1C #SimpleGoodFood

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