Hearty Beef & Barley Vegetable Stew

This is the kind of stew you start on a lazy afternoon and let take its time. Cubed beef browns first for depth, then simmers low and slow with carrots, celery, and onion until it's fall-apart tender, with barley added toward the end to soak up the broth.

Beef is a genuinely good source of iron, and pairing it here with a hearty, whole-grain barley makes for a stew that's as substantial as it is comforting — a solid option if you're keeping an eye on iron intake alongside your regular meals.

It tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make a full pot and reheat portions through the week.