This beef barley soup is a hearty combination of beef, vegetables, barley and mushrooms, all simmered together until tender and flavorful. A hearty dinner option that’s easy to make and freezer friendly.
My family could eat soup every night, some of our favorites include cabbage roll soup and chicken tortellini soup. Beef barley soup is also on the list, because it’s simple yet totally satisfying.
Whenever I’m looking for a comfort food style meal that I know my family will approve of, I turn to this beef barley soup. It’s got bold flavors, fork tender meat, plenty of veggies and the barley adds such great texture. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this one!
How do you make beef barley soup?
Beef barley soup starts with a few pounds of stew meat, which gets simmered with vegetables until everything is tender. After the meat and veggies are ready, sliced mushrooms and pearl barley are added to the pot to cook until done. Add a sprinkling of parsley and dinner is served!
What is pearl barley?
Pearl barley is a type of barley that has been processed to remove the hull and bran. Pearl barley is faster cooking and has a better texture than unprocessed whole barley, which can sometimes be overly chewy.
Tips for beef barley soup
- I use beef stew meat because it’s inexpensive and convenient. You can also buy a chuck roast and cut it into cubes if you prefer.
- I cut my vegetables on the larger side so that they don’t disintegrate into the soup while the meat is simmering. If you prefer firmer veggies, you can saute them, remove them from the pan, then add them back in halfway through the cook time.
- I typically use button mushrooms, but cremini mushrooms also work well.
- I like to serve beef barley soup with a side of fresh baguette or honey cornbread.
Ground beef and barley soup
Don’t want to wait an hour for your beef stew meat to get tender? Consider using ground beef instead. You’ll get a similar rich flavor with a fraction of the cook time. Substitute 1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef for the stew meat in this recipe.
Freezer Beef Barley Soup
Beef barley soup is the perfect candidate for the freezer. You can either freeze your cooked soup, or you can do it meal prep style where you freeze all of the ingredients in one bag, then thaw everything and cook. Here is my freezer meal beef barley soup recipe.
Slow cooker beef barley soup
This recipe can easily be adapted to use in the slow cooker. Simply brown your beef and vegetables as directed, then place all of the ingredients except the parsley into a crock pot. Cook for 6-8 hours on low, then serve. If you choose to make this soup in the slow cooker, the barley will have a softer texture than the stove top version, but it’s still totally delicious.
Once you try this beef barley soup, you’ll be hooked. It’s an interpretation of the classic recipe that’s anything but ordinary!
More hearty soup recipes
- Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Mexican Chicken Soup
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Chicken Taco Soup
Beef Barley Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 3 large carrots cut into 3/4 inch pieces
- 3 stalks celery sliced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3/4 cup pearl barley
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Season the beef stew meat with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place half of the meat in the pot in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until browned. Repeat with remaining meat.
- Remove the meat from the pot and cover to keep warm. Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic to the pot. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened.
- At this point you can either leave the veggies in the pot to simmer with the beef, or remove the vegetables and add them back in later. It depends on whether you prefer softer or firmer vegetables in your soup.
- Add the beef, beef broth, bay leaf and thyme to the pot. Bring to a simmer. Cook for 60 minutes or until beef is tender.
- If you've reserved your vegetables, add them back in now. Add the barley and mushrooms to the pot. Cook for an additional 20-30 minutes until barley is tender.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Kathleen says
Excellent soup! I didn’t change a thing, and the entire family loved it. I’m sure I’ll be making this again during the fall and winter. Thank you for the delicious recipe.
Krista says
I make this soup all the time now. I do add a tsp of ground ginger to mine and I also use no sodium added beef stock. Also I throw parsnips and potato in it with lots of onion carrots and celery.
Julia says
I love recipes with barley and can’t wait to make this as I have all the ingredients at home 🙂
Kara says
I love soup… could literally eat soup every day of the year. This is a great recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Biana says
This soup looks amazing, and simple to make too! Will be making it very soon.
Claudia Lamascolo says
I hate to admit I just bought two cans of barley soup from a favorite brand. This certainly look 1k times better, I am going to try it tomorrow thanks!
Eileen Kelly says
This soup is so delicious. Easy to follow directions and the end result, super tender meat. The barley is soft and tasty. I will make again.
Jeanine says
It’s so cold here so I made this barley soup and we loved it! Full meal in a bowl!
Laura says
Should I cover the pot while it summers? Thanks!
Laura says
I meant simmers 🤪
Sara says
I do not cover the pot!
Doris Vetter says
Do I cover the pot to cook the beef?
Sara says
I do not cover the pot, but you can if you prefer!
Tamara says
Hi! I would love to try this – but I’m wondering if it can be done in the Instant Pot? I prefer things I can basically leave – but without the time of slow cooker. Thank you!
Sara says
Yes I think that would work fine!
Grace says
I used to go to a deli and get this soup with my mom. I gave this recipe a try and it was delicious! Deli style food at home. Even better the second day!
Julie Marie Green says
This recipe looks amazing! But 1 question: can you freeze leftovers?
Sara says
Yes you can freeze it!
Gem101 says
This is the best beef barley recipe ever!
I added a tablespoon of worcestershire sauce and a tablespoon of gravy thickener amd it turned out really good . Slow cooked for 6 hours.
Everyone at home loved it.
Wesley R says
Very tasty beef and barley soup. I love this kind of soup but the store-bought versions always leave me wanting. I used closer to 3lbs of Chuck roast and cubed it myself. Some butchers hide old meat and rough cuts in the packaged cubed stew meat. Dusted with baking soda to encourage browning. Carrots got a little soft so I’d cook them first and pull for the last cook next time but it’s fine. They are just a little soft. I used dried parsley flakes and dried thyme. I used quick cook barley and it took 20 mins to tender. Great recipe and really easy all told.
Carole Fontaine says
Made this and husband and I loved it. It was so delicious a few days later when we finished it off, that we are making it again tonight.
Vallaire says
My husband and I thought this recipe was delicious!!!!
Vance Phillips says
My family loved this dish. This Beef Barley soup, is easily one of the best soups I’ve ever made.
SusanFromIowa says
Delicious and easy! It was a hit at our house, and I’ll definitely be making it again!
Kimberly Auer says
Hi I just have a question. I have never used barley before and the store I bought it at had pot barley not pearl. Does it make a difference and does it require more time to cook? I really like the recipe you have so I wanted to try it but very inexperienced with barley.
Sara says
Pot barley is fine it will just take longer to cook, let it simmer for at least 50 minutes!
Bob Modeland says
And pot barley is better for you. It is less process it still has the bran on it