Introduction
Beef Barley Soup is a timeless comfort food made with tender chunks of beef, wholesome barley, and vegetables simmered in a rich, savory broth. It’s filling, nutritious, and perfect for cold days, meal prep, or when you want a satisfying homemade soup.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
🧰 Equipment
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
📝 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
- 1½ lb beef chuck, cut into bite-size cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Beef Chuck: Best cut for slow simmering—becomes tender and flavorful.
- Pearl Barley: Adds chewiness and thickness; no soaking required.
- Broth: Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels.
👩🍳 Instructions
- Brown the Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Season beef with salt and pepper and brown in batches. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables
- In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Build the Soup
- Return beef to the pot.
- Add barley, beef broth, diced tomatoes (if using), bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered for 1–1½ hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and barley is cooked.
- Finish
- Remove bay leaves.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
🧾 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Protein: 26 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
💡 Tips
- Skim excess fat from the top for a cleaner broth.
- Soup thickens as it sits—add extra broth when reheating.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day.
