Beef and Barley Soup

On a cold winter day, there’s nothing more satisfying than a bowl of this easy and delicious Beef and Barley Soup. Packed with tender beef, veggies, and barley in a rich, seasoned broth, it’s a hearty meal in a bowl that is sure to warm you up!

This soup is an easy and delicious way to cook leftover ground beef. When you simmer it with plump barley and your favorite vegetables, you make a soup filling you up. It’s a satisfying soup and a great option for days when you don’t feel like making something complicated. 

This beef barley soup recipe will become one of your favorite things to cook on cold days. You just can’t beat the amazing beefy flavor and fresh herbs. Together, they create an alluring aroma you’ll enjoy sipping very slowly. 

Why You’ll Love Beef and Barley Soup

• Hearty Soup. This quick barley soup is incredibly filling. 
• Quick. It doesn’t take a long time for this to cook. It’s ready in an hour. 
• Nutritious. A fantastic source of whole grains and fiber from the barley and vegetables. 
• Easy to make ahead. Store it in the refrigerator and eat it the next day. 
• Filling enough to be a complete meal. It has grains, protein, and vegetables all in one pot. 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

I want it!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

This soup is made with ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store. 

• Ground Beef: Use the leanest beef you can so that it’s less greasy/ 
• Onion: A white onion will taste the best in the soup. 
• Carrots: Either slice or dice the carrots for your soup.
• Celery: This veggie adds flavor and fiber. 
• Worcestershire Sauce: Just a little bit enhances the flavors in this delicious soup. 
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic because it will be more aromatic. 
• Mushrooms: Any type of mushroom is delicious.
• Thyme: Fresh thyme has a sweet flavor that rounds out the soup.
• Beef Broth: This is the base of the hearty soup. 
• Bay Leaves: These are optional but really round out the rest of the ingredients. 
• Barley: The other main ingredient adds bulk and fiber to the soup. 
• Frozen Peas: The peas add color and texture to the soup.  

How to Make Beef and Barley Soup

• Step One: Spray a large pot with cooking spray and heat it to medium heat. Season your beef on both sides with salt and pepper. Place it into the pot and use a spatula to break it apart as it browns.
• Step Two: While cooking, chop your carrots, onions, celery, and large mushroom pieces.
• Step Three: Drain any grease from the beef in the pot.
• Step Four: Place your carrots, onions, celery, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic in the pot. Sauté your vegetables for 10 minutes with your ground beef.
• Step Five: Add thyme, bay leaves, and mushrooms to your broth. Simmer on the stovetop, covered, for 30 minutes.
• Step Six: Add your barley and continue to cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
• Step Seven: Stir your soup and taste for any salt and pepper adjustments and the tenderness of your barley. Pour in your frozen peas and cook for 10 minutes. Take your pot off from the heat and serve. Enjoy! 

Equipment Needed

This post contains affiliate links.

• Large Pot With a Lid – Use something like a Dutch oven
• Sharp Knife – It must be sharp enough to cut the onion easily.
• Cutting Board – You’ll use it to cut the vegetables. 
• Ladle – To serve the soup

What to Serve with Beef and Barley Soup

This flavorful soup tastes perfect with a glass of red wine. If you want to add it to the dinner table, serve your favorite entree with it. 

• Garlic Bread
• Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
• BLT Salad
• Roasted Root Vegetables

Variations and Substitutions

• Garnish with fresh parsley. This will give it more color and flavor. 
• Use beef stock instead of beef broth. 
• Replace beef broth with chicken stock. 
• Add a bit of tomato paste to give it a sweeter flavor. 
• The bay leaf is optional 

Storage Instructions 

Keep the leftovers and eat this soup on chilly days. It’s the perfect meal when you want something to warm you up because it has a rich flavor. Store it in an airtight and spillproof food storage container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

Beef and Barley Soup Tips and Tricks

• I always use salt and pepper to taste because it depends on the meat you use, the broth you use, and whether it is low sodium or not. These seasonings are also a preference. Taste and see; make this soup how your family likes it.
• This will have a soft texture that doesn’t just squish when you bite into it. It will depend on the size of your barley and how long you cook it. If you need to cook them longer, cook in 5 minute increments to ensure you don’t overcook them.
• Use olive oil non-stick spray.
• Flavor the soup with your favorite blend of Italian seasoning.

Slow Cooker Instructions 

You can also use this recipe to make slow cooker beef barley soup.  First, brown the ground beef and add all the ingredients to the slow cooker.  The cooking time depends on how you set the slow cooker. I suggest cooking it on low for about 6-8 hours. Slow cooking the soup will help all the ingredients combine so much better. 

Can I Use Something Other Than Ground Beef?

Yes, you can use other cuts of beef instead of ground beef. This soup is usually made with either beef short ribs, chuck roast, or beef stew meat. Cut the beef chuck roast into beef cubes. Even round roast will tenderize and taste delicious. 

What Kind of Barley Do I Use?

The nutty barley is the star of this hearty soup. Use either pot or pearl barley in this classic soup. Most people use pearl barley when they make homemade soup. 

What Does Barley Taste Like? 

This homemade beef barley soup tastes unlike anything you’ve ever made, mostly thanks to the barley. Unlike rice or pasta, barley has a nutty flavor. It is mild and has a chewier texture than rice. The barley fills you up when you make hearty beef barley soup. 

Can You Overcook Barley?

Yes, it’s possible to overcook the barley. If you follow the recipe in the recipe card, you won’t overcook it. But if you try to slow the already pre-soaked cooker barley, it will fall apart and disintegrate. 

How To Know When Barley Is Cooked

You’ll know the barley is done cooking when it triples in size and is still soft and chewy. The best way to tell if it’s ready to eat is to taste it. If it isn’t chewy enough, let it cook for another 5-10 minutes. 

How To Thicken Beef and Barley Soup 

Old-fashioned beef barley soup is thick – almost as thick as a stew. If you want it thicker next time, add a roux of either cornstarch or flour and water. This will thicken the soup as it cooks.

What Is The Difference Between Barley and Pearl Barley?

The main difference between pearl barley and hulled barley is how they are processed. They only remove the outer husks from hulled barley. But pearl barley has both the outer husks and bran layer removed. 

FAQ

Soup Recipes         

Want to make more comforting soups at home? Here are some of my favorites:

• New England Clam Chowder
• Hamburger Soup
• Cream of Celery Soup
• Cream of Carrot Soup
• Cheeseburger Chowder
• Sausage & Cabbage Soup
• Cabbage Roll Soup

Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.