Homemade Beef Barley Soup

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

2 carrots, sliced

1 stalk celery, sliced

2 cups cooked beef

6 cups reduced sodium beef broth

1 can petite diced tomatoes (14-15 oz), undrained

½ green pepper, diced

2/3 cup barley

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

¼ tsp dried thyme

1 package beef gravy mix

1 bay leaf

2 Tbsp fresh parsley or 2 tsp dried

salt and pepper , to taste

1. Cook onions and garlic in oil over medium heat until softened.
2. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered about 40-50 minutes or until barley is cooked.
3. Remove bay leaf and serve.
4. Soup may thicken upon cooling, add extra broth (or water) to reach desired consistency.