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Beef Barley Soup recipe with tender beef chunks, carrots, and pearl barley in a rich homemade broth.

Beef Barley Soup Recipe

This hearty beef barley soup recipe combines tender beef, pearl barley, and vegetables simmered slowly in savory broth. A classic old-fashioned comfort dish that’s easy to make on the stovetop or in a crock pot, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or meal prep.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Resting time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 345
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs Beef chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil divided
  • 1 cup Onion diced
  • 1 cup Carrots sliced
  • 1 cup Celery chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 8 cups Beef broth low-sodium preferred
  • 0.75 cup Pearled barley rinsed
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste optional adds richness
  • 2 Bay leaves remove before serving
  • 1 tsp Thyme dried or fresh
  • to taste Salt and pepper adjust at the end
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce optional for flavor boost

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven for stovetop cooking
  • 1 Wooden spoon For stirring
  • 1 Ladle For serving
  • 1 Slow Cooker optional for crock pot version

Method
 

  1. Brown the Beef:
  2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a Dutch oven. Add beef and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables:
  4. Add remaining oil, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until soft.
  5. Deglaze:
  6. Stir in tomato paste, then deglaze with a splash of broth or red wine, scraping up brown bits.
  7. Simmer the Soup:
  8. Return beef to pot, add broth, barley, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 1½–2 hours.
  9. Season and Serve:
  10. Stir in Worcestershire, season to taste, and remove bay leaves. Serve hot with bread.

Notes

For a richer broth, use soup bones or beef shank instead of stew meat.
This beef barley soup recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
To make Irish beef barley soup, substitute 1 cup broth with Guinness and add potatoes.
For a crock pot version, cook on LOW 8 hours or HIGH 5 hours.