Description

There’s nothing quite like a warm, steamy bowl of Beef Barley Soup to wrap you up in comfort on a chilly day. This soul-soothing classic is packed with tender beef, nutty pearl barley, and aromatic vegetables—all simmered to perfection in a savory broth. Whether you’re cooking up a cozy dinner or prepping for the week, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal fuss!

Ingredients

Scale

1½ lbs beef stew meat or chuck roast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
8 cups beef broth
1 cup pearl barley
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
(Optional) 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
(Optional) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Sear the Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear the beef until browned on all sides (4–5 minutes per batch). Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until beginning to soften. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
Build the Soup: Return seared beef to the pot. Add beef broth, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until beef is tender.
Add Barley and Optional Mushrooms: Stir in pearl barley (and mushrooms if using). Cover and simmer for another 30–40 minutes until barley is tender and soup has thickened slightly.
Season and Serve: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Optional Add-Ins: Try chopped spinach or peas during the last 10 minutes of cooking for added nutrients. Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 3 months. Add extra broth when reheating if it thickens.

Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT1H40M
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 320
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 640mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: beef barley soup, cozy soup, comfort food, winter dinner