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Hearty Beef Barley Soup

Warm, rich, and full of slow-simmered flavor, this Hearty Beef Barley Soup is a comforting, one-pot meal made with tender beef, vegetables, and nutty barley. A cold-weather classic you’ll want to make again and again.

  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 6–8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat or chuck roast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups beef broth (low sodium)
  • 1 cup water (or more as needed)
  • 3/4 cup pearl barley (uncooked)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sear the beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper, then sear in batches until browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, cook onion, carrots, and celery for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute more.
  3. Deglaze and simmer: Return beef to the pot. Add beef broth, water, barley, thyme, bay leaf, and Worcestershire (if using). Stir well and bring to a boil.
  4. Simmer low and slow: Reduce heat, cover partially, and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until beef is tender and barley is cooked.
  5. Finish and serve: Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

  • Barley thickens soup as it sits—add broth or water to loosen leftovers.
  • Make it gluten-free by swapping barley for brown rice or quinoa.
  • Great additions: mushrooms, peas, potatoes, green beans, or spinach.
  • Use cooked leftover roast beef for a shortcut version—add halfway through.
  • Add a splash of red wine during the sear step for extra richness.
  • Author: Selena Trump
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
  • Calories: 310
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 620mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: beef barley soup, winter soup, one-pot meal, comfort food, hearty soup