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Hearty Mushroom and Barley Stew
Original recipe: 6 servings · Prep: 15 min · Cook: 435 min · Total: 450 min
By PanPotPlates Editorial TeamPublished Apr 20, 2026 | Updated Oct 17, 2026
Rustic European-Inspired
450 mins
comfortfoodbudget-friendlyslowcookermealprephearty
Hearty Mushroom and Barley Stew with measured ingredients, 6-serving yield, and step-by-step instructions for one-pot, one-pan, skillet, casserole, and sheet-pan recipes. Estimated timing (not kitchen-tested): preparation 15 minutes; cooking 435 minutes; additional elapsed time 0 minutes; total about 450 minutes. Uses the low slow-cooker setting; alternative methods take different times. Times are planning estimates based on the instructions. Follow the stated doneness and temperature checks, and extend cooking or cooling as needed.
Prep
15 min
Cook
435 min
Total
450 min
Servings
6
Difficulty
easy
Cuisine
Rustic European-Inspired
Ingredients
Servings
6
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach (optional, added near end)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
-
Add minced garlic, sliced mushrooms, carrots, and celery. Cook until mushrooms release their moisture and vegetables start to soften, about 7 minutes.
-
Transfer the sautéed vegetables to your slow cooker insert.
-
Add rinsed pearl barley, vegetable broth, water, diced tomatoes with their juice, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
-
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the barley is tender and the stew is thickened.
-
About 15 minutes before cooking is complete, stir in the chopped kale or spinach (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste.
-
Remove and discard the bay leaf.
-
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Timing note
Skillet preparation precedes 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Allow additional time as needed; no tested total is claimed.
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