Beef Barley Soup

Nothing beats a cozy bowl of this delicious beef barley soup on a chilly day! 

A hearty mix of tender beef, veggies, and chewy pearl barley swim in a savory broth. It’s pure comfort food in a bowl.

I love serving it with some crusty bread for dunking.

Either way, you’ve got a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out!

Why You’ll Love This Beef Barley Soup

One-Pot Wonder: Made in one pot, this soup recipe minimizes cleanup. It’s just what you need for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Winter Warmer: Between the tender beef and savory broth, this comforting soup is the ideal winter warmer. And it’s healthy, too!

Versatile Cooking: Stovetop, Crockpot, or Instant Pot, this recipe works with your preferred method of cooking.

Meal Prep Must: Beef barley soup is a classic that’s perfect for meal prepping or freezing. 

Ingredients

• Beef Chuck or Stew Meat: The ideal cut for stews that becomes melt-in-your-mouth soft as it simmers.
  
• Salt and Black Pepper: A must for properly seasoning any soup!
  
• Onion and Garlic: For aromatics and depth.
  
• Carrots, Celery Stalks, Mushrooms, Potatoes: The perfect accompaniments to the savory beef and chewy barley. They add more flavor, texture, and substance.
  
• Dried Thyme, Dried Oregano, Bay Leaves: To infuse the soup with aromatic flavors. 
  
• Beef Broth or Stock: To create a rich, savory broth. 
  
• Pearl Barley: It adds a delightfully chewy texture and nutty flavor.
  
• Tomato Paste: It adds a touch of sweetness and acidity. 
  
• Worcestershire and Soy Sauce: For umami and depth of flavor. 
  
• Fresh Parsley: The ideal garnish for brightening the soup with fresh flavor.

How to Make Beef Barley Soup

What’s the secret to crafting the perfect beef barley soup? Building all the flavors in the right order. 

Don’t worry, it’s super easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Prep. Pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Brown. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside. 

3. Cook. In the same pot, add the onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, thyme, oregano, and tomato paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes.

4. Deglaze. Pour in 1/2 cup of beef broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.

5. Add & stir. Add the browned beef to the pot. Stir in the barley, remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, bay leaves, and potatoes.

6. Simmer. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot partially with the lid and simmer for 45-60 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

7. Adjust. Add more salt or pepper to taste. Add more beef broth or water if desired.

8. Serve. Ladle into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot.

Tips for the Best Beef Barley Soup

These tips will help you create the ultimate soup!

• Boost the flavor. To deepen the flavor, add red wine like Cabernet. Optional, but delicious!
  
• Swap out the barley. For a less processed barley option, try hulled barley. You could also use couscous or rice, but the cooking times will vary. 
  
• Control the consistency. The soup will naturally thicken as it cooks. If the soup is too thick, add more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
  
• Use your trusty slow cooker. After browning the beef and sautéing the vegetables, transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours for tender beef and vegetables.
  
• Fire up the Instant Pot. Use the sauté function to brown the beef and vegetables, then add all ingredients except parsley. Pressure cook on high for 20 minutes, followed by a natural release for 15 minutes before quick-releasing any remaining pressure.

How to Store

This beef barley soup tastes even better the next day! As it sits, the flavors have more time to meld and develop. Enjoy it as lunch or dinner, or freeze for later. 

To Store: Place cooled leftovers in an air-tight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. 

To Freeze: Pour cooled leftovers into a freezer-safe container or bags. Be sure to leave room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

To Reheat: Warm leftovers in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot throughout. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to thin the consistency.

Beef Barley Soup

Course: Main CourseCuisine: American

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

25

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Calories

341

kcal

This old-fashioned beef barley soup is so hearty and delicious! It’s full of savory flavor and comes together in a little over an hour.

Ingredients

• For the Beef:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for browning)

• For the Soup:

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 3 carrots, peeled and diced

• 3 celery stalks, diced

• 8 ounces (225 grams) mushrooms, sliced (optional)

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 8 cups (2 liters) beef broth or stock (preferably homemade or low-sodium)

• 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional for depth of flavor)

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 cup diced potatoes (optional)

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

• Pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the beef and set it aside. For a richer flavor, you can dredge the beef in flour before browning for a thicker texture in the soup.
• In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if needed. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms (if using). Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. Add the garlic, thyme, oregano, and tomato paste, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Pour in 1/2 cup of beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits (this adds great flavor to the soup).
• Return the browned beef to the pot. Stir in the barley, remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce (optional), bay leaves, and potatoes (if using).
• Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot partially with the lid and let simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Check the seasoning of the soup and adjust salt and pepper to taste. If the broth reduces too much, add more beef broth or water to thin it out to your preferred consistency.
• Ladle into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve with crusty bread or crackers on the side. Enjoy!