Mystery Barley Soup
A hearty, flavorful barley and beef oxtail soup infused with herbs and vegetables, perfect for comforting family meals and cold days with rich, savory notes.
Ingredients
- 1 beef oxtail (about 2 lb.) ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onions ⓘ
- 8 cups water ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/4 cup barley ⓘ
- 1 (12 oz.) can tomato juice ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons chopped black licorice ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon basil ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 5-quart Dutch oven, cook oxtail pieces over medium heat until lightly browned.
- Add chopped onions and cook until tender.
- Add water, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, about 4 hours to blend flavors and reduce volume by half.
- Add all remaining ingredients: chopped parsley, carrots, celery, barley, tomato juice, chopped black licorice, marjoram, and basil.
- Simmer until barley is cooked, about 45 minutes.
- Skim off excess fat before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider browning the oxtail well before adding the onions. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more barley or blend a portion of the soup and stir it back in. Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried ones if available, but adjust the quantities accordingly. For a creative twist, try adding a dash of soy sauce for umami, which complements the black licorice nicely.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Mystery Barley Soup hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley for freshness. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal. For a heartier option, consider serving with a side of Deviled Beef Toss to enhance the beefy flavors in the soup.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to adjust the consistency. This soup can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mystery Barley Soup contains roughly 2097 calories, with 78g protein, 428g carbohydrates, and 22g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (307% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (212% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 894mg per serving (39% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Brown the oxtail and onions first, then transfer to the slow cooker along with the water, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 6-8 hours before adding the remaining ingredients and cooking for an additional 1-2 hours until the barley is tender.
What can I use instead of black licorice?
If you're not a fan of black licorice, you can omit it or replace it with a small amount of fennel seeds for a similar anise flavor. Alternatively, you might try adding a splash of balsamic vinegar to provide an unexpected depth of flavor without the licorice taste.
Is there a vegetarian version of this soup?
To create a vegetarian version, replace the oxtail with a hearty vegetable stock, and add more vegetables such as mushrooms and potatoes for texture. You can use lentils or mushrooms to mimic the richness of meat, while still enjoying the comforting essence of this soup.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).