Wash and chop the onion into small pieces. Chop the beef if needed into 1 inch chunks.In a large skillet on medium heat with a little bit of oil brown the stew meat.
Spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or line with a liner.
Pour the beef stock, tomato juice and diced tomatoes into the slow cooker. Next add in the barley, and garlic. Mix well so everything is combined.
Next, add your frozen vegetables, chopped beef, and stir to mix well. Then add the bay leaf to the top.
Place your lid on the Crockpot, and turn to low heat setting.
Cook for 8 hours.
Once done the cooking, remove the bay leaf and add salt and pepper to taste.