Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

INGREDIENTS

1 lb

boneless beef chuck or stew meat (cut into 1-inch cubes)

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tbsp

olive oil

large onion (diced (about 2 cups))

carrots (peeled and diced (about 1 cup))

stalk celery (sliced (about ½ cup))

8 oz

mushrooms (sliced)

2 cloves

garlic (minced)

1/2 tsp

dried or ½ Tablespoon fresh thyme

2 cups

beef broth

2 cups

chicken broth

2 cups

water

1/2 cup

pearled barley

bay leaf

Salt and freshly ground black pepper