Last Updated on October 13, 2020 by Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Making a pot of wholesome Beef Barley Soup from scratch doesn't have to be a long complicated process. This recipe is easy and in just about an hour you can have a delicious and hearty meal on the table.
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Hearty and full of
To make this soup in just about an hour, I used Pearl barley. Though it's not considered a whole grain and is less nutritious than hulled barley, it's still very good for you.
If you prefer to use hulled barley to take full advantage of its health benefits, you can do so but will need to increase the cooking time.
How to Make Beef Barley Soup from Scratch
If you're wondering which cut of beef to use to make this soup, I find chuck roast or sirloin tip works wonderfully. To speed up the time it takes to cook this soup and reduce the amount of broth needed, it's a good idea to cook the barley separately.
Since barley absorbs a lot of liquid, cooking it partway on its own reduces the amount of stock needed in the soup. It also reduces the total amount of time needed to make the soup. So to speed things up, cook the barley by boiling it in a separate pot while you make the soup.
Let the barley simmer for about twenty minutes, drain it and add it to the remainder of the ingredients in the soup pot. Continue to simmer the soup for an additional 15 to 20 minutes to finish cooking it.
This soup is filling enough to enjoy as a meal, but you can also serve it with slices of crusty bread. There are approximately 314 calories in one serving of this Beef Barley Soup. Enjoy!
More Easy and Hearty Soups to Try
- Easy Black Bean Soup
- Creamy Chicken Noodle and Vegetable Soup
- Tomato Orzo Soup
- Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Soup
If you make this recipe let me know how it went for you in the comment section below. I'd love to know if you made any variations to the recipe and how it worked out. And if you take a picture, share it with me on Instagram by tagging #sweetandsavourypursuits, I love to see your photos!
Beef Barley Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 pound beef chuck roast or sirloin tip, you can use less beef if you prefer a less meaty soup
- 1 onion medium
- 1 celery stick
- 1 carrot large
- 2 garlic cloves
- 5 cups beef or chicken broth more broth may be needed as barley absorbs alot of liquid as its cooking
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper to taste
- parsley few sprigs
- ½ cup pearl barley rinsed
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef with salt and pepper and brown it on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set it on cutting board. Cut the meat into ½ inch cubes.
- In a second pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil and add the barley. Lower heat and let simmer for 20 minutes, drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, to the pot where you browned the beef, add the onion, celery and carrots. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for an additional minute. Lower heat to medium and cook, stirring every few minutes, until vegetables soften, about 7 minutes.
- To the soup pot, add the beef cubes, bay leaf and stock. Stir and scrape the bottom of the pot to release the caramelized bits. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to your liking. Bring the soup to a boil and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add the drained barley to the soup. Let soup simmer for approximately 15 to 20 minutes more or until beef and barley are tender. Add more broth if desired and adjust seasoning.
- Before serving, sprinkle soup with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- To shorten the time needed to make this soup, start cooking the barley by boiling it in water in a separate pot while making the rest of the soup. Let the barley simmer for about twenty minutes, drain it and add it to the remainder of the ingredients in the soup pot.
- If you choose hulled barley for this recipe, I recommend you cook it on its own for at least 30 minutes prior to adding it to the soup pot. It will continue cooking with the remainder of the ingredients.
Nutrition
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vivian says
This was the perfect soup for the meat eaters in our family on a below zero night. Easy to make, hearty and delicious. Thank you!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
That's great, thanks so much for taking the time to let me know!
La Cuisine d'Helene says
Oh my I love soups and this is the perfect comfy food for the winter!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks so much Hélène! I agree, soups are great comfort food!
Karly says
Looking at this has me drooling! Theeeeee perfect winter soup! So excited to try this!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks so much Karly, hope you enjoy it!
Louise Crosby says
This is the perfect food for cold weather. Can't wait to make it. Thanks, Fida.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks Louise, yes nothing makes you forget about the cold like a delicious hot bowl of soup!