Homemade Beef Barley Soup is a rich, flavorful dish made with tender beef, nutritious barley pearls, and a variety of vegetables. The combination of fresh ingredients in this hearty beef stew not only enhances its taste but also packs nutrients essential for a balanced diet.
Preparing this beef barley soup recipe is simple, yet the results are profound, filling the kitchen with inviting aromas. Our vegetable beef barley soup stands out as a nourishing option that is perfect for any occasion, creating both warmth and satisfaction for those who enjoy it.
Check out these other great beef soup recipes- LASAGNA SOUP, EASY GO-TO TACO SOUP, and THE BEST SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW. These soups are great for cold weather & when you want a heartier soup in your bowls!
Beef Barley Soup- A Recipe From Scratch
Beef barley soup is a classic dish known for its rich flavor and satisfying texture. It features tender beef, hearty barley, and a variety of fresh vegetables.
The simplicity of preparation makes this soup appealing. The beef is browned to enhance its taste before adding the vegetables and broth. A slow simmer allows the flavors to meld beautifully. This soup is suitable for meal prep, as it freezes well and can be enjoyed later. When reheated, the flavors often deepen, making it even more delicious.
Beef barley soup is not just filling; it’s a comfort food that nourishes both body and soul. Perfect for cold weather, it delivers warmth in every bowl!
Why you’ll enjoy this hearty soup recipe
- Maximum flavor in every bowl. We sauté the veggies and brown the meat before adding in the broths and liquids. This helps seal in the flavor and create a nice rich tasting broth.
- It is completely homemade. This homemade beef barley soup recipe is made from scratch, meaning that we do not use canned condensed soups and use fresh vegetables and ingredients.
- Versatile recipe. If you like your soup with a lot of broth, you may need to add extra. Or switch up the vegetables, try zucchini, squash, or peas. These add nutrition and new depth of flavor to the soup.
Beef and Barley Soup Ingredients
Butter– You will need 3 TBSP of butter, salted or unsalted, for a rich soup flavor.
Onions– Use ½ cup of chopped onions (about one medium-sized onion) to create a flavorful soup.
Beef– The protein base of this stew is 1 pound of beef stew meat.
Seasonings– Add 1 tsp of each celery seeds and garlic powder, and also ½ tsp each of salt and pepper, for incredible flavor in every bite.
Carrots– To give this dish some color and sweetness, you’ll want 1 cup of sliced carrots. This is equal to about 3 medium-sized carrots.
Celery– Use 1 cup of sliced celery (about 4 stalks) for added color and fresh taste.
Barley– Adding ½ cup of Quick Pearled Barley will create a hearty, delicious stew.
Broth– For the liquid base of this stew you need 5 cups of beef broth. If you don’t have beef broth, you can substitute it with beef bouillon with water to make 5 cups. I typically use 4 cups of boiling water with 2 cubes.
Water– 1 cup of water will help stretch the soup just a little bit more, and settle the flavors well.
How to Make Homemade Beef Barley Soup
Prep
Start by dicing the onion into small chunks, they will cook down so they don’t have to be minced.
Also chop the carrots and celery sticks into bite size pieces.
After that, cut the beef into bite sized cubes.
Sauté ingredients
Get a Dutch oven or cast iron pan heating over medium heat and melt the butter.
Once heated, add in the chopped onions and stir to coat in the butter. Continue to cook until soft and translucent.
Then add in the cubed beef, celery seeds, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir together until the meat is browned. This should take about 4-5 minutes over medium-high heat.
Next, mix in the carrots and celery. Then add in the barley and stir again until well mixed.
Add liquids
Now add the beef broth and the water to the pan, bring the mixture to a boil and stir well to combine.
Cover the Dutch oven, reduce the heat, and bring the stew to a simmer.
Allow the soup to cook for 1 hour, mixing every 10-15 minutes to prevent sticking.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Variations & Add in’s for Beef Barley Stew
Beef barley stew allows for numerous variations to customize flavors and textures. Here are some popular options:
- Vegetables:
- Peas
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Herbs & Spices:
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Bay leaves
- Worcestershire sauce
- Different Grains:
- Quinoa
- Farro
- Beans and Legumes:
- Kidney beans
- Lentils
HOMEMADE BEEF BARLEY SOUP
Ingredients
- 3 TBSP butter salted butter or unsalted
- ½ cup chopped onions about a medium size onion
- 1 lb. beef stew meat
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 1 cup sliced carrots about 3 medium sizes
- 1 cup sliced celery about 4 celery stalks
- ½ cup Quick Pearled Barley
- 5 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Prep: Dice the onion into small chunks, they will cook down so they don't have to be minced. Chop the carrots and celery sticks into bite size pieces. Cut the beef into bite sized cubes.
- Sauté ingredients: Get a Dutch oven or cast iron pan heating over medium heat and melt the butter. Once heated, add in the chopped onions and stir to coat. Cook until soft and translucent.
- Add in the cubed beef stew meat, celery seeds, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir together until the meat is browned. This should take about 4-5minutes over medium-high heat. Then mix in the carrots and celery, add in the barley, and stir again until well mixed.
- Add liquids: Add the beef broth and the water to the pan, bring to a boil and mix well. Cover the Dutch oven, reduce the heat and bring it down to a simmer. Allow the soup to cook for 1 hour, mixing every 10-15 minutes to prevent sticking. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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How can I enhance the flavor of my beef barley soup?
To boost the flavor of beef barley soup, consider adding aromatics like garlic and onions at the beginning. Fresh herbs, such as thyme or parsley, contribute depth. Including a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce can also elevate the richness of the broth.
What is the best cut of beef for homemade beef barley soup?
Chuck roast is a popular choice for beef barley soup due to its rich flavor and tenderness when cooked properly. Brisket and shank also work well, offering a robust taste as they cook down. Always choose a cut with some marbling for added richness.
How do you reheat beef barley soup?
You can heat up a single portion in a paper towel-covered bowl in the microwave, or you can reheat multiple servings in a pot on the stove. When warming it up, I like to warm up in a small saucepan, add about ¼ cup of broth and slowly bring it to the desired temperature.
How long is beef barley soup good for?
You can keep the leftovers from this soup stored in an airtight, covered container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Check out these other great soup recipes!
- COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
- CROCKPOT CHICKEN TACO SOUP
- CHICKEN POT PIE SOUP
- SLOW COOKER FRENCH ONION SOUP
- CROCKPOT CHEESEBURGER SOUP
- CHEESY BROCCOLI POTATO SOUP
- OLIVE GARDEN CHICKEN GNOCCHI SOUP
- PASTA FAGIOLI RECIPE
- 20 MINUTE LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP
- CHICKEN ALFREDO SOUP
- ZUCCHINI SAUSAGE SOUP
- COPYCAT PANERA 10 VEGETABLE SOUP
- EASY PUMPKIN SOUP
- CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER
- GERMAN SAUSAGE SOUP
- CHEESY HAM & TORTELLINI SOUP
- THREE CHEESE SOUP
- WISCONSIN CAULIFLOWER SOUP
Homemade beef barley soup is a wonderful hearty and delicious soup that is as comforting as it is filling. This hearty beef stew is made with robust pears of barley, fresh veggies, and tender chunks of beef.
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