Southwestern Slow Cooker Barley Casserole with Ground Turkey
This Southwestern slow cooker barley casserole with ground turkey may not be pretty to look at, but it’s healthy, flavorful and couldn’t be easier to prepare! Even my 4-year-old devoured it.
Sometimes when I develop a recipe, I really want to share it with you guys but I’m reluctant to share it because the recipe is homely and kind of plain.
This slow cooker barley recipe is NOT FANCY AT ALL. But, it’s delicious! Warm, comforting, and easy to make. There’s my dilemma: it doesn’t look gorgeous but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t share this recipe with you.
I also had a difficult time naming the recipe. Casserole? Stew? It’s somewhere in between the two, I think. It’s hearty, warm, full of flavor, cheesy…basically everything you love in food, right?
E loved scooping this up onto chips and eating it that way. So did Ben for that matter. N continues to survive on breakfast alone — little stinker. I was still recovering from oral surgery when I made this (sick of hearing about that yet?) so no chips for me, but it really hit the spot and required minimal chewing. (Gross? Sorry.)
And it’s unbelievably simple to make. Start like you’re going to make turkey tacos. Sauté ground turkey with peppers and onions. Add taco seasoning. Throw the meat, onions, and peppers in the slow cooker with beans, corn, pearl barley, and chicken stock.
Stir in a generous amount of cheese when it is all said and done and you’re presented with satisfying, filling comfort food. With really minimal effort. This slow cooker barley casserole is perfect if you’re just had oral surgery, or if you’re just human and hungry.
Serve it with a nice kale salad or some warm bread.
Barley is so nutritious!
If you’re looking for more great barley recipes like this slow cooker barley casserole, try these:
- Barley, Bulgar and Vegetable Vegan Casserole
- Barley Salad with Cucumbers, Tomato and Parsley
- Chicken Barley Soup with Kale and Butternut Squash
- Barley Pilaf with Mushrooms, Red Peppers and Spinach from Handle the Heat
- Slow Cooker Barley and Chickpea Risotto from Foxes Love Lemons
- Toasted Barley and Shrimp Salad from Cookin’ Canuck
Southwestern Slow Cooker Barley Casserole with Ground Turkey
This slow cooker barley casserole may not be pretty to look at, but it’s healthy, flavorful and couldn’t be easier to prepare! Even my 4-year-old devoured it.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1.25 pound (20 ounces) lean ground turkey
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (more to taste)
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup uncooked pearl barley
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
- Optional ingredients for topping and serving: Sour cream, salsa, diced tomatoes, avocado, fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, tortilla chips.
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add turkey, onion, and pepper and saute until turkey is cooked through. Add taco seasoning and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Add meat mixture along with corn, tomatoes, beans, barley, and chicken broth to a 6 quart slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until barley is tender and most of water is soaked up into the barley.
- Stir in 1 and 1/2 cups of cheese and sprinkle the remaining half cup on top. Cover until melted. Serve with tortilla chips if desired as well as any desired toppings.
Notes
- 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning (as called for in the recipe) yields a pretty mild casserole. If you like it spicier, feel free to bump up the amount you use.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 492Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 538mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 12gSugar: 5gProtein: 25g
RachelCooks.com sometimes provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietitian. Please consult a medical professional for any specific nutrition, diet, or allergy advice.
Husband’s take: He loves this! Ate the leftovers at least twice.
Changes I would make: None are necessary, but if I have something green in my fridge, it benefits greatly from a fresh garnish like cilantro or green onions.
Difficulty: Very easy.
16 Comments on “Southwestern Slow Cooker Barley Casserole with Ground Turkey”
This was yummy, but had to make three changes. It is definitely winter here and we are snowed in. When this happens you make do with what you have. I did not have ground turkey, black beans or fresh red bell pepper. However, I did have ground lean beef, kidney beans, and canned mild green chilis. I also didn’t add the meat until about an hour before serving because I didn’t want it overcooked. I added 1 tablespoon of the spices to the barley and chicken broth at the beginning of the cook time and a half tablespoon to the meat and onions. Like I said it was yummy! Next time I will try to make it with the indicated ingredients.
This is a great recipe to adapt to what you have on hand! I’m so glad you liked it!
I love the nothing fancy, stick to your ribs, comfort kind of food… it’s all I’ve been eating lately. Minnesota just doesn’t seem to want to warm up, I assume Michigan is the same.
I WANT THAT.
Yessss, I love this! I think barley is one of the best slow cooker ingredients, period. It’s the only way I prepare barley, in fact. I’ve never tried a southwestern take on this, so I’m pinning this for next time I break out the barley. Love all of these flavors!
Thanks so much for liking to my Slow Cooker Barley and Chickpea Risotto. I appreciate it!
This looks so comforting and hearty!! I think soups are hard to make look really pretty. (At least for me) But I think you did a great job!!
Not only does this sound delish – love the barley! – but I also adore your crazy awesome photos. Winning all the way around!
Ahh you’re so sweet. I almost didn’t share this recipe because I disliked the photos so much!
I love the look of this soup/stew/casserole :) It looks so hearty and perfect for this cold winter weather. How do you like the KA slow cooker? I’m in the market for a new slow cooker since the crock in my old one cracked :(
Love it so far! I have 2 slabs of rib in it right now :)
Perfect!!! I love barley!
Perfect for the weather we’ve been having! I love barley !
I just adore barley. This sounds perfect for our Tuesday night Slow Cooker dinners. Putting it on next weeks menu.
comfort food doesn’t have to be pretty to taste good!
I love Southwestern flavors and I slow cooker recipes!! So I am all about this one!
I love how hearty this looks! :) I think you are onto something with that barley in there!