Red Beans and Barley W Ham Slow Cooker Stew

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Cozy up with a hearty bowl of Red Beans and Barley with Ham Slow Cooker Stew, the ideal dish for effortless comfort and rich, wholesome flavors. This one-pot recipe combines tender red beans, nutty pearl barley, and savory diced ham with a medley of fresh carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. Seasoned with earthy thyme and smoky paprika, this slow-cooked stew simmers to perfection over hours, infusing every bite with warmth and depth. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, this easy slow cooker recipe requires just 20 minutes of prep before the magic happens. Serve this protein-packed, fiber-rich stew garnished with vibrant parsley for a complete, nutritious meal that pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a crisp salad.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: N/A
• Total Time: 20 min
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

14 items

• 1 cup Dried red beans
• 0.5 cup Pearl barley
• 2 cups Ham, diced
• 2 large Carrots, diced
• 2 Celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
• 6 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

📝 Instructions

8 steps

1. Rinse the dried red beans thoroughly and soak them overnight in a large bowl of water. Drain and rinse before cooking.

2. In a slow cooker, combine the soaked red beans, pearl barley, diced ham, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.

3. Add the bay leaves, dried thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt to the slow cooker.

4. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, ensuring all ingredients are fully submerged. Stir gently to combine.

5. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beans and barley are tender.

6. Once the stew is done, remove the bay leaves and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.

7. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

8. Serve warm and enjoy with crusty bread or a side salad if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (452.6g)

Calories		260
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		4.5 g	6%
	Saturated Fat	1.4 g	7%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		36 mg	12%
Sodium		2270 mg	99%
Total Carbohydrate		34.4 g	13%
	Dietary Fiber	7.7 g	27%
	Total Sugars	5.9 g
Protein		21.7 g	43%
Vitamin D		0.0 mcg	0%
Calcium		90 mg	7%
Iron		3.2 mg	18%
Potassium		931 mg	20%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 238 cal (15.1%%)

Protein: 517 cal (32.7%%)

Carbs: 827 cal (52.2%%)