Hearty Beef Soup

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 onion, diced

2 (26 ounce) containers beef broth

1 pound lean ground beef

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (12 fluid ounce) can tomato juice

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

½ cup pearl barley

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried parsley

ground black pepper

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the beef broth, then add the ground beef. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring and breaking up the ground beef. Mix in the diced tomatoes and tomato juice.

Stir in the mixed vegetables, pearl barley, basil, parsley, and pepper. Simmer until the barley is tender, 40 to 50 minutes.