Homemade Beef Barley Soup
This homemade Beef Barley Soup recipe is filled with tender beef, wholesome vegetables, and nutritious barley, all simmered in a savory tomato-beef broth. It’s a comforting dish for a hearty lunch or dinner that the whole family will love!
Homemade soups are easy to make and so much tastier than any store-bought canned soup. Using simple ingredients this family friendly recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it up with crusty bread or Butternut Squash Scones.
Ingredients for this Beef Barley Soup recipe
- Beef: chuck roast, sirloin, or stewing meat
The best beef for soup uses cuts like chuck, sirloin, or stewing meat which are more affordable and typically tougher. When cooked slowly in broth, the beef becomes tender and flavorful.
Absolutely! It is perfect for using up leftover roast beef.
- Pearl Barley: a healthy grain that adds a hearty texture and nutty flavor.
*barley is a perfect substitution for rice, pasta or potatoes. I have used it in my Easy Hamburger Soup and Italian Turkey Soup
Yes, barley should be rinsed to remove any dust or debris.
- Beef Broth: I prefer to use low-sodium beef broth which allows me to control the salt, ensuring the soup is flavorful without being too salty.
- Tomatoes: For this recipe I used canned, diced tomatoes, but if you prefer smaller chunks use crushed tomatoes.
- Vegetables: the base of savory soup always starts with a mirepoix, a mixture of chopped onion, carrot, and celery. For added flavor, I also included garlic and mushrooms.
- Seasoning: a blend of dried thyme, basil, and bay leaf is added to create a balanced and aromatic broth. Fresh chopped parsley adds a finishing touch to enhance the overall taste.
How to make this easy Beef Barley Soup
Season the cubed beef and brown. Transfer to a soup pot.
Sauté sliced mushrooms. Transfer to the soup pot.
Sauté carrots, celery, onions and garlic. Transfer the veggies to the soup pot.
Add a can of diced tomatoes and beef broth.
Stir in the pearl barley and spices.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 40-50 minutes.
Stir in freshly chopped parsley.
Enjoy this delicious homemade soup!
How to store beef and barley soup
This hearty beef soup tastes even better the next day!
Refrigerator: Up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer: Up to 3 months in airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
Note: Barley tends to absorb liquid as it sits, so your soup may become thicker after storage. You can add extra broth or water when reheating it.
Top Tips:
- Browning the beef gives it a rich color and enhances the flavor of the soup.
- Sauteing the vegetables caramelizes them which deepens the overall flavor profile and adds complexity to the dish.
As the weather gets chilly and you start to crave comfort food, warm up with some of these delicious homemade soup recipes.
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Homemade Beef Barley Soup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds beef cut into small cubes
- 2 cups fresh mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup carrots sliced
- 1 cup celery sliced
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth low-sodium
- 3/4 cup pearl barley rinsed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add the cubed beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes over medium-high heat, until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the mushrooms and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until browned. Set aside.
- Sauté the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic for about 4 minutes. Just until the vegetables are slightly softened.
- Return the beef and vegetables back to the Dutch oven or soup pot. Stir in the diced tomatoes and beef broth.
- Rinse the pearl barley and stir into the soup.
- Add bay leaf, thyme and basil.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 40-50 minutes until the beef and barley is tender.
- Stir in the fresh chopped parsley.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Delicious!
A most excellent beef barley soup
Thank you so much Gayle!