Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken – Recipe for Homemade Jewish Deli-Style Beef Soup, Savory and Comforting
As a California native now living in Los Angeles, I consider it the height of absurdity to complain about the weather. We are blessed with seriously mild seasons here, and I actually look forward to that little bit of winter that creeps up on us at this time of year. Just a wisp of cold wind, a smattering of rain– barely enough to justify lighting up the fireplace and putting a pot of soup on the stove. I welcome this bit of dreariness in the middle of our seemingly endless summer. This weekend here we are, a barely-rainstorm drizzling away outside, and I’m craving the comfort of a hot bowl of Mushroom Barley Soup.
I usually make this deli-style soup vegetarian style, but once in a while my family craves the extra savory heartiness of meat. A few short ribs turn this thick and wintery soup into a rib-sticking meal. Dried mushrooms add an extra infusion of mushroom goodness to the already flavorful broth. I always add lots of black pepper, too. The barley slowly cooks to a thick, almost creamy finish. So much savory goodness in a one-pot meal… just right for an almost-winter weekend. I might even light up the fireplace!
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Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken
Ingredients
- 8 meaty short ribs (flanken), trimmed - about 2 1/2 lbs
- 2 tbsp olive or grapeseed oil, or more as needed
- 6 dried mushrooms
- 1 lb white mushrooms, scrubbed and sliced
- 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots (about 2-3 medium carrots)
- 1 cup chopped celery, including leaves (about 3-4 stalks)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 3 qts low sodium chicken, beef or mushroom stock
- 1 1/4 cups pearl barley
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper
You will also need
- Large stock pot, small mixing bowl, paper coffee filter or clean mesh coffee filter, mesh strainer or colander
- Rinse short ribs and pat dry. Generously salt and pepper them. With a knife, score the back side along the bone (this allows the meat to absorb more of the cooking liquid).
![Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken - Recipe for Homemade Jewish Deli-Style Beef Soup, Savory and Comforting]()
In a large stockpot, heat 2 tbsp olive or grapeseed oil over medium high heat. Add shortribs and brown on all sides, about 4 minutes on each side. ![Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken - Recipe for Homemade Jewish Deli-Style Beef Soup, Savory and Comforting]()
While the meat is browning, place dried mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with 3 cups of hot water. Allow to soak for 20 minutes. ![Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken - Recipe for Homemade Jewish Deli-Style Beef Soup, Savory and Comforting]()
Once the meat has finished browning, remove and set aside. Add roughly half of the white mushrooms to the stockpot and brown over medium high heat. Remove and set aside.![Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken - Recipe for Homemade Jewish Deli-Style Beef Soup, Savory and Comforting]()
Add remaining half of white mushrooms to the pan and brown, adding additional oil as needed. Add carrots, celery, onion and the rest of the browned mushrooms. Cook until onions are translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, then reduce the heat to medium.![Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken - Recipe for Homemade Jewish Deli-Style Beef Soup, Savory and Comforting]()
By now the dried mushrooms will have softened. Drain the mushroom soaking water by straining it through a coffee filter or multiple layers of cheesecloth (use a mesh strainer or colander to hold the filter or cheesecloth) directly into the stockpot. Stir, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan as the liquid heats up.- Give the soaked, softened mushrooms another quick rinse under running water to remove any remaining residue (wash carefully, grit can be hiding in the gills of the mushrooms). Chop the mushrooms into small pieces and add them to the stock pot.
![Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken - Recipe for Homemade Jewish Deli-Style Beef Soup, Savory and Comforting]()
Add the chicken, beef or mushroom stock, barley, bay leaves and seared short ribs to the stockpot. Stir to combine all ingredients. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Allow soup to cook, uncovered, for 2 hours or until the barley and short ribs are completely tender and the soup is nicely thickened. Add water during the simmer if the soup becomes overly thick. After cooking, season with salt and pepper to taste. I use about 1 1/2 tsp salt and a heaping 1/4 tsp pepper. Use whatever amount of seasoning tastes best for you.![Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken - Recipe for Homemade Jewish Deli-Style Beef Soup, Savory and Comforting]()
Remove all of the short ribs from the soup and shred, then mix the meat back into the soup before serving. Alternatively you may serve whole short ribs on the bone, 1-2 per bowl of soup.![Mushroom Barley Soup with Flanken - Homemade Jewish Deli-Style Beef Soup, Savory and Comforting]()
In a large stockpot, heat 2 tbsp olive or grapeseed oil over medium high heat. Add shortribs and brown on all sides, about 4 minutes on each side. 
While the meat is browning, place dried mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with 3 cups of hot water. Allow to soak for 20 minutes. 
Once the meat has finished browning, remove and set aside. Add roughly half of the white mushrooms to the stockpot and brown over medium high heat. Remove and set aside.
Add remaining half of white mushrooms to the pan and brown, adding additional oil as needed. Add carrots, celery, onion and the rest of the browned mushrooms. Cook until onions are translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, then reduce the heat to medium.
By now the dried mushrooms will have softened. Drain the mushroom soaking water by straining it through a coffee filter or multiple layers of cheesecloth (use a mesh strainer or colander to hold the filter or cheesecloth) directly into the stockpot. Stir, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan as the liquid heats up.
Add the chicken, beef or mushroom stock, barley, bay leaves and seared short ribs to the stockpot. Stir to combine all ingredients. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Allow soup to cook, uncovered, for 2 hours or until the barley and short ribs are completely tender and the soup is nicely thickened. Add water during the simmer if the soup becomes overly thick. After cooking, season with salt and pepper to taste. I use about 1 1/2 tsp salt and a heaping 1/4 tsp pepper. Use whatever amount of seasoning tastes best for you.
Remove all of the short ribs from the soup and shred, then mix the meat back into the soup before serving. Alternatively you may serve whole short ribs on the bone, 1-2 per bowl of soup.
