Fast and Easy Beef Barley Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb. boneless beef sirloin or round steak, cut into 1'' cubes
• 2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 1/2 cups beef broth or low sodium beef broth
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup quick cooking barley
• fresh pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large non-stick saucepan, brown beef until juices evaporate, stirring often.
2. Add mushrooms and garlic powder, cooking until mushrooms are tender.
3. Add broth, carrots, thyme and pepper. Bring to a boil.
4. Stir in barley.
5. Cover and cook over low heat about 20 minutes or until barley is tender.