Southwestern Slow Cooker Barley Casserole with Ground Turkey
Posted: 02/27/2015
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This Southwestern slow cooker barley casserole with ground turkey is healthy, flavorful and couldn’t be easier to prepare! Even my 4-year-old devours 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 so no chips for me, but it really hit the spot.
About this slow cooker barley stew
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 warm bread. Or both.
More barley recipes
Barley is so nutritious! If you’re looking for more great 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
- Slow Cooker Barley and Chickpea Risotto from Foxes Love Lemons
- Toasted Barley and Shrimp Salad from Cookin’ Canuck
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
servings
This slow cooker barley casserole is healthy, flavorful and couldn’t be easier to prepare!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pkg. (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
Serving: 1of 6, Calories: 483kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 535mg, Fiber: 12g, Sugar: 5g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Barbara says
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.
Rachel Gurk says
This is a great recipe to adapt to what you have on hand! I’m so glad you liked it!
Mackenzie says
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.
bev @ bevcooks says
I WANT THAT.
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
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!
Malinda @countrysidecravings says
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!!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Not only does this sound delish – love the barley! – but I also adore your crazy awesome photos. Winning all the way around!
Rachel Gurk says
Ahh you’re so sweet. I almost didn’t share this recipe because I disliked the photos so much!
Nutmeg Nanny says
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 :(
Rachel Gurk says
Love it so far! I have 2 slabs of rib in it right now :)
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
Perfect!!! I love barley!
Marye says
Perfect for the weather we’ve been having! I love barley !
Christie says
I just adore barley. This sounds perfect for our Tuesday night Slow Cooker dinners. Putting it on next weeks menu.
denise says
comfort food doesn’t have to be pretty to taste good!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
I love Southwestern flavors and I slow cooker recipes!! So I am all about this one!
Alice says
I love how hearty this looks! :) I think you are onto something with that barley in there!