Beef and Barley Soup Recipe – Quick, Hearty, and Delicious

I still remember the first time I made this Beef and Barley Soup Recipe for my family. Inspired by my love for wholesome, comforting meals from scratch, I wanted a dish that was both hearty and easy to prepare. From that day on, this Beef and Barley Soup Recipe became our go-to for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, and cozy family dinners. Every spoonful of this Beef and Barley Soup Recipe brings warmth, nostalgia, and the kind of flavor that keeps everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Beef and barley soup is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Quick, easy, and family-friendly, this hearty soup is perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Using simple ingredients like tender beef, wholesome barley, and fresh vegetables, you can create a balanced one-pot meal with minimal effort. This beef and barley soup recipe allows customization, so you can add mushrooms, herbs, or extra vegetables to suit your taste, making it comforting, satisfying, and full of flavor. Busy families love it because it can be prepped ahead of time and slow-cooked, letting the flavors meld beautifully. Every bite delivers rich, savory beef broth, soft vegetables, and chewy barley, making it a classic comfort food that never disappoints.

Ingredients for This Recipe

The ingredients for this beef and barley soup recipe are simple yet create a rich, hearty flavor. Pearl barley adds a nutty, chewy texture while the tender beef brings depth. Vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions balance the richness with natural sweetness, and optional mushrooms add earthy umami. Fresh herbs and a bay leaf infuse the soup with warmth and aroma. Using beef broth ensures a savory base that ties all the flavors together.

🛒 Ingredients (serves 6–8):

For the Soup:

1 ½ lbs beef stew meat (chuck), cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
8 cups beef broth
1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (optional)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

How to Make This Recipe

Creating this beef and barley soup recipe is easy and rewarding. Start by browning the beef for depth of flavor. Sauté the aromatics—onion, garlic, carrots, and celery—to release their natural sweetness. Add the broth, barley, tomatoes, and herbs, then let the soup simmer until the beef is tender and the barley is perfectly chewy. Mushrooms, if desired, can be added for extra richness. This one-pot method keeps preparation simple while building layers of hearty, comforting flavor that everyone will love.

🛒 Steps:

Step 1: Brown beef in olive oil until seared on all sides, then set aside.
Step 2: Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in the same pot for 5 minutes; add garlic for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Return beef to the pot, add beef broth, barley, diced tomatoes, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf.
Step 4: Simmer covered for 45–60 minutes until beef is tender and barley is cooked.
Step 5: Stir in mushrooms during the last 15 minutes if using.
Step 6: Remove bay leaf, season with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.

Expert Cooking Tips

Making the perfect beef and barley soup is about technique and patience. Always brown the beef first—it locks in flavor and juices. Rinse pearl barley before adding it to reduce excess starch. For a deeper flavor, let the soup simmer longer on low heat or in a slow cooker. Adjust the consistency by adding more beef broth if the soup thickens over time. Fresh parsley added at the end brightens the flavor. Experiment with vegetables like parsnips or potatoes to make this beef and barley soup recipe your own signature dish.

💡 Expert Tips:

• Brown beef before simmering to enhance flavor
• Rinse barley to reduce starchiness
• Simmer slowly for tender beef and rich broth
• Add mushrooms or extra vegetables for depth
• Adjust thickness with more broth as needed
• Finish with fresh parsley for brightness

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This beef and barley soup recipe is a classic comfort dish that’s perfect for any season. Easy to make, customizable, and full of hearty, satisfying flavor, it’s a family-friendly recipe that brings warmth to your table. Whether cooked on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, this soup is a balanced, one-pot meal ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions. Once you try it, it will become a staple in your home cooking rotation, providing cozy, wholesome meals for everyone.

Beef and Barley Soup

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

A hearty and comforting soup made with tender beef, wholesome barley, and a mix of vegetables simmered in a savory beef broth. Perfect for chilly evenings, meal prep, or a cozy family dinner. Can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker for convenience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (serves 6–8):

For the Soup:

• 1 ½ lbs beef stew meat (chuck), cut into bite-sized pieces

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 2 celery stalks, chopped

• 8 cups beef broth

• 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (optional)

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper, then brown in batches. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Soup
Return beef to the pot. Add beef broth, barley, tomatoes, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.

Step 4: Simmer
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer 45–60 minutes, until beef is tender and barley is cooked.

Step 5: Add Mushrooms (Optional)
Stir in mushrooms during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Step 6: Finish & Serve
Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Slow Cooker Version:

 

1. Brown beef for extra flavor.

2. Add all ingredients (except parsley) to slow cooker.

3. Cook on LOW 7–8 hours or HIGH 4–5 hours.

4. Stir in mushrooms during the last hour.

Notes

• Freezing: Cools well for up to 3 months. Add extra broth when reheating as barley absorbs liquid.
• Beef Cuts: Chuck roast or stew meat works best.
• Consistency: Soup may thicken as it sits—add warm broth when reheating.
• Vegetable Variations: Potatoes or parsnips can be added in place of mushrooms.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Soup / Comfort Food
• Method: Stovetop / Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American / Irish-Inspired