Hearty Beef and Barley Soup: A Comforting Classic Recipe
This Hearty Beef and Barley Soup is a classic comfort food featuring tender beef chunks, chewy pearl barley, and a rich, flavorful broth. Enhanced with carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and herbs, it delivers a nutritious and filling meal perfect for chilly days, meal prep, or freezer-friendly dinners. Flexible for stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot cooking, it is an economical and balanced dish packed with protein, fiber, and vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Soups, Comfort Food, One-Pot Meals, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, European
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Barley Soup Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs beef chuck or stewing beef, cut into chunks
- 1 cup pearl barley (or hulled barley for chewier texture)
- 8 cups beef stock (homemade or store-bought)
- 3 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Ingredients
- 1 can kidney beans or white beans, drained (for beef bean and barley soup variation)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef chunks and sear until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove beef and set aside to retain the caramelized flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add chopped onions, diced carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until fragrant and softened, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Broth & Barley: Pour in the beef stock, then add dried thyme, bay leaf, and pearl barley. Return the seared beef chunks to the pot, stirring to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer Gently: Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 60 to 90 minutes, or until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked through but still slightly chewy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Adjust & Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot, optionally with crusty bread.
Notes
- Pearl barley cooks faster and yields a softer texture; hulled barley provides a chewier bite and more nutrients.
- Using homemade beef stock enriches the soup’s flavor, but high-quality store-bought stock works well too.
- Incorporate drained kidney or white beans to create a beef bean and barley soup variation for added protein and heartiness.
- Soup flavors deepen when reheated, making it excellent for make-ahead meals and leftovers.
- Alternative cooking methods: slow cooker on low for 6–8 hours; Instant Pot pressure cook for 30 minutes with natural release for quicker preparation.
Keywords: beef barley soup, hearty beef soup, one-pot meal, comforting soup, pearl barley soup, beef stew, slow cooker soup, instant pot soup, healthy beef soup, classic comfort food
