Description

This Hearty Beef Barley Soup is a cozy, comforting one-pot meal made with tender beef, wholesome barley, and vegetables simmered in a rich broth. It’s an easy, budget-friendly recipe that can be made on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in an Instant Pot — perfect for chilly nights or make-ahead lunches.

Ingredients

1 lb beef chuck or ground beef

1 cup pearl barley (or quick barley)

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried oregano

1 bay leaf

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Oil, for sautéing

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Instructions

Brown the beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a bit of oil over medium-high heat. Add beef (chuck cubes or ground) and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 more minute.
Simmer the soup: Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, barley, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Cook: Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook 60–70 minutes, until beef is tender and barley is cooked through.
Adjust seasoning: Taste and season with additional salt or pepper as needed. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Optional garnish: Top with chopped parsley or serve with crusty bread.
Slow cooker: After browning meat and sautéing vegetables, transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low 6–8 hours.
Instant Pot: After sautéing, seal the lid and pressure cook on high for 25 minutes. Allow a 10-minute natural release before opening.

Notes

Use ground beef for a quicker, more budget-friendly version.

Pearl barley adds a chewy texture; quick barley shortens cook time.

For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth and swap beef for mushrooms or lentils.

The soup thickens as it sits — add extra broth or water when reheating.

Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Soup, Main Dish
Method: Stovetop, Slow Cooker, or Instant Pot
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (out of 6)
Calories: 310
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 55mg