- In a 6 or 8-quart pot melt 1 Tablespoon of butter.
- Brown stew meat in 2-3 batches over medium-high heat, not crowding the meat, and turning each piece once. Remove meat to plate when browned.
- Add remaining butter. Lower heat and brown onion 5 minutes.
- Add meat back into pot. Stir in broth, water and contents of Dakota Territory Beef Barley Stew Mix. Bring to a simmer and cook covered 2 hours.
- Add turnips or potatoes, mushrooms, sherry or red wine, and salt and pepper.
- Return to a simmer and cook covered 1 hour.
Note: This stewy beef barely soup can be made a day ahead or frozen and reheated.