Description
Beef Barley Soup is a cozy, hearty bowl featuring tender beef, chewy pearl barley, and colorful vegetables in a rich, comforting broth. This nourishing classic is perfect for chilly nights or simple weeknights, delivering warmth in every spoonful. Made from pantry staples – beef, barley, tomatoes, carrots, celery, and herbs – it’s satisfying, kid-friendly, and freezer-friendly, with flavor that improves as leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lbs beef stew meat
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- ¾ cup pearl barley
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef stew meat and brown on all sides.
- Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4–5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in barley, diced tomatoes, beef broth, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf.
- Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45–55 minutes, stirring occasionally, until barley is tender and beef is cooked through.
- Remove bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve warm, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Brown beef well for rich flavor.
- If barley thickens too much, add more broth or water.
- Soup tastes even better after resting; reheat gently.
- Leftovers refrigerate up to 3–4 days; freeze for up to 3 months.
- Contains gluten from barley; omit or use a gluten-free barley substitute if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop simmer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Beef Barley Soup, beef barley soup recipe, cozy soup, hearty one-pot meal, comfort food, winter soup, easy beef soup, wholesome barley soup, family dinner, 1-pot beef barley