Beef Barley Soup (Slow Cooker)
This soup is lovingly simmered on the stove or in the crock pot to produce the richest Beef Barley Soup recipe I’ve ever tasted. Shredded carrots and potatoes give it a fabulous, thick texture.
Originally published October 2, 2014
I still remember the first time I walked into Eric’s parent’s house. I mean, of course I remember it, Eric and I were practically engaged before I met his family, so you know, no pressure. Hi, I’m going to be here FOREVER, hope you don’t hate me. (We were married 5 months later.)
The reason I remember walking through the door so vividly is because of the delicious smell. Soup. The soup to end all soups.
My mother-in-law Kris is one of the best cooks I know. I’m addicted to recipes (part of the reason I started this blog–it’s a catalogue my friends, plain and simple) but she is a true cook, adding ingredients by gut instinct rather than what some imposing recipe says. (I do that sometimes…and sometimes I have to throw dinner in the trash.)
Her Beef Barley Soup is literally the definition of comfort food for me. It reminds me of being in her cozy kitchen in Montana, with snow fluttering outside that somehow makes you feel warmer, and this aromatic soup simmering on the stove, with the cats nosing around to see what the smell is.
How to make Beef Barley Soup
You should have heard me try to finagle this recipe out of her. She sent me an email with the basic beef barley soup recipe but I still had to text her 7 times and call her twice. It worked, because the soup tastes exactly like hers. Which is to say, it tastes just like home.
The shredded carrots and potatoes are part of the reason this soup is so fabulous. It gives it great texture, on top of the barley. This was my first time buying barley. I had to ask where it was after checking by the oats and then the flour. (It was by the dry rice and beans. Here’s the kind of barley you’re looking for.) (Update! I tried this with quick pearl barley in December 2016. It worked awesome and was done in half the time.)
I call this a lazy-day soup. Make it on a rainy day at home when your most exciting task is laundry. It will make you feel all warm and nostalgic, I promise. Or, if you want to eat this on a weekday, throw it in the crock pot and add the barley when you get home.
Don’t forget to brown the meat. Gives it tons of flavor.
I love Better than Bouillon. It adds the BEST flavor to soup.
I’m telling you guys. Shredded potatoes/carrots is where it’s at. Use a food processor if you have one, but if not a normal cheese grater will do.
I don’t like huge pieces of celery, so this is how I chop mine.
Well guys, if all goes according to plan, this is the last time I will hit publish with this blog design. I’m so excited to show you! I feel like I just got a new wardrobe. Soon I will make you all sit in the living room while I model my new outfits.
I love making this crusty One Hour French Bread to go with this Beef Barley soup. If you are serving a lot of people and need another side, make this Apple Gorgonzola Salad, or this Raspberry Avocado Salad with Poppyseed Dressing.
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One year ago: Sriracha Garlic Bread
Two years ago: Cake Mix Coffee Cake
Three years ago: Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Frosting
Beef Barley Soup
Serves 8 adjust servingsIngredients
- 2 pounds stew meat (nicely marbled beef chunks)
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 10 cups water
- 3 mounded tablespoons good quality beef base*
- 3 stalks celery (about 2 cups), chopped
- 2 onions, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large potato, peeled and shredded, about 2 cups
- 3-4 large carrots, peeled and shredded, about 2 cups
- 1 cup pearl barley*** rinsed
Instructions
- Generously salt and pepper the beef. In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- When it is very hot, add about 1/3 of the meat. Brown for about 1-2 minutes, then turn to brown the other side. Remove to a plate when it is browned on all sides.
- Repeat with remaining meat in 2 more batches. (If you add it all at once it will steam the meat instead of browning it--not what you want.)
- When all the meat is browned, add all the meat back to the pot with 10 cups of water. Add 3 healthy tablespoons beef stock concentrate.
- Add the chopped celery, onions, and garlic. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 2 hours with the lid on.
- When the meat is tender and you can break it apart easily with a wooden spoon, add the shredded potato and carrots. Bring to a boil, then continue to simmer on low for another 30-45 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
- Add 1 cup of barley. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low. Cook for another half hour, or until barley is tender and the soup tastes...like home.
Slow cooker instructions:
- In a large pan, brown the meat according to the instructions. Remove the browned meat to a large crockpot.
- Add 2 cups of the water to the pan and bring to a boil. Stir up all the browned bits. Add this and the remaining 8 cups of water to the crock pot.
- Add the beef base, celery, onions, and garlic to the slow cooker and stir.
- Cook on low for about 6 hours. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook for another hour.
- Add the barley and simmer for another hour or so, until it is tender.
by The Food Charlatan
Other soups you will love:
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup with Italian Sausage and Pesto
Cheeseburger Soup: (45 minutes)
Cream Cheese Chicken Chili: (Slow cooker)
Easy Cheddar Cauliflower Soup: (45 minutes)
More soup from friends:
Slow Cooker Enchilada Soup from Weary Chef
Easy Chicken and Dumpling Soup from Melanie Makes
Tortellini Cheddar Cheese Soup from Simply Gloria
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What are the macros?
Can you freeze the leftovers?
absolutely Becky! The soup leftovers freeze very well when tightly sealed. Ziplocks work great.
Thank you much for the good recipes
This is THE BEST beef barley soup ever
So happy to hear that Laura! It’s a family favorite for a reason! Thanks for chiming in.
I love this recipe! I’m making it again but preparing to freeze it.
Should I cook it all together first then freeze or just freeze the ingredients?
Hi Kelly! I would cook it and then freeze. Enjoy!
Hi I am planning to make this soup today. Instead of using the beef base can I use beef broth and if so would it be 10 cups of beef broth instead of the 10.cups.of water ? Thank you
Yes that’s exactly right Lindsay! Enjoy the soup!
OMG, delicious!!! I made this yesterday and when I added the bouillon oops, I added 5 TBLS and it was too salty, then I took out a lot of the broth and added more water, it was perfect! Making another pot today! YUMMY!!!
Oh I’m so glad you were able to save it Lisa! You are smart. Thanks for sharing your tip, and leaving a review! So glad you enjoyed it!
This is a family favorite!!! I’ve been making this soup for several years. I agree that the shredded carrot and potato add to its richness. Yum!
That’s so great Charlene! I’m so glad it’s become a favorite in your house too :) Thanks for commenting!
I’ve made this soup before and I have to say it’s one of my favorites. I’d love to make a gluten free version of this recipe. Do you think it would be ok without the barley?
Hi Heather! Sure it would change the feel of the soup but it would still be good. I would add some gluten free pasta toward the end and cook until al dente. Enjoy!
I was really skeptical about this at first. but it was really delicious! I made two mistakes though. First I added just a bit more salt at the end which it really didn’t need! And second, I think my “simmer” was a little too high because I lost a lot of the liquid and it turned into more of a stew than a soup. But it was still really good.
I’m so glad you liked it Eleni! Next time if you want it to be more soupy and you simmer too much, you can add in a bit more beef broth and a splash of Worcestershire to get it back to the consistency you like!
Add me to the list of satisfied cooks! This soup is amazing. Only made half a recipe because there are only two of us, and didn’t have much meat. That was a mistake, it was all gone in a flash. Thank you for a great recipe.
Does this soup freeze well?
Yes it freezes beautifully Jane! Enjoy!
I did not shred I cubed and i used 5 cups beef broth and 5 cups water. I also cooked everything together for 3 hours after that I added the barley and cooked for another hour all on low heat. Was perfect!
I decided to make a soup a week this winter. When I originally found this recipe, I thought I would try it once. Let me tell you, my whole family loved it. In fact, they raved about it to me and other people. It has been the most requested soup this winter, not to mention, it is healthy and satisfying.
I love hearing this Deborah! And what a fun idea to do one soup a week! Thanks so much for commenting :)
This is the best beef barley soup I have ever had! The grated potato and carrot really make it! Since my husband loves beef I used 2 lbs of short ribs. I refrigerated the meat in the stock overnight (went through step 5) and then removed the layer of fat. Finished the soup the second day and it was amazing. Thank you!
Love the idea of taking a day to refrigerate Karen! So smart!
Hi, I made this soup today and it’s a keeper! I added a couple of bay leaves and it could probably use a little tomato paste for depth, but it was a lovely soup and my first time with barley so thank you very much!
The only thing you could mention is the sheer amount of fat skimming required afterwards!!
Cheers all the same. This baby is going to keep us warm for a few days!!
I may have already written a review, but let me just say again how delicious and perfect and comforting this is. I am having thyroid surgery tomorrow, and i made myself a batch of it today, just so that i can have it while I am recuperating. My husband loves it, my mother in law loves it, and my MIL’s 87 year old boyfriend makes a special trip over if he knows I made it. So good!
Well when the boyfriend makes a special trip, you know it’s a winner ;) so glad you all are loving it Michelle!! Thanks for reviewing! Oh and of course good luck with your surgery, I hope it all goes well!
Made this soup a long time ago. Any time my husband wanted Barley Soup, this is my go to soup. Making it again. It’s worth it.
Made this for the first time yesterday in the crockpot, adding petite peas. Pretty easy (when I busted out the food processor for the shredding) and very tasty. Hubby loved and we’re both looking forward to the leftovers!
Love the idea of adding peas Raquel! Thanks for the idea!
This soup is the BOMB! So so good.
I’ve made this several times and it is always delicious – thank you for sharing your family recipe.
I make this soup all the time, my family and I love it!!!!!
I didn’t make this soup but my niece did. It was friggin delicious
Haha, that is awesome Robina! I need to get my nieces to make me amazing soup ;) Glad you liked it, thanks for reviewing!
Okay – it’s official. You’ve become my go-to food blogger! I see a recipe from you and simply assume it will be awesome! I made your Beef Barley soup yesterday and it. Is. Amazing! Even my husband – who isn’t always thrilled when soup shows us as dinner – ate every bite and declared it wonderful. Super recipe. I love how you add descriptors to the steps – what it should look like, etc – so that we know we’re on the right track! I also used Quick Barley – worked great! Thank you for this wonderful recipe and for all your wonderful recipes!! Merry Christmas!
I wouldn’t change a thing! The key is to cook it long enough that the meat is melt in your mouth tender. I cooked it 4 hours total (on the stove). Super yummy! Thank you for sharing a gem. :)
Made this for dinner tonight and it was off the charts amazing. Exactly what I wanted on a rainy Saturday. I made it on the stove top and the only thing I would do differently next time will be to start cooking earlier in the day. My lack of planning led to a late dinner. Plenty of leftovers for lunches too.
So happy to hear the soup was a success Jane! It’s so nice making a big pot of soup and then having leftovers for days :) Thanks so much for commenting!
this recipe produces a delicious, hearty, filling soup. Great for eating when the weather gets colder. My family loves it.
This soup is wonderfully delicious. Such an amazing aroma to enjoy in the fall/winter while it cooks and simmers on the stove. Thank you for sharing, we have made this repeatedly for the past couple of years!
I’m so happy to hear you are enjoying the soup Cheryl! I agree, the smell this soup makes is just the best when it’s cold outside. Thanks so much for the comment!
This is the most amazing soup ever! I’ve never been fond of soup but I make this at least once a month. I’ve substituted a bulb of fennel for one of the onions and it gives it great flavor!
What a fun idea Corrine! I have never even cooked with fresh fennel before (see, charlatan ;) and never would have thought of that. Thanks for the idea!
This is the best soup I’ve ever had. I make it all winter long.
Best beef barley soup I have ever had!
This is the soup that started it all with me! I accidentally found it 5 years ago and I’ve made it several times. This is the soup that got me hooked on this site as well. Congratulations for 8 years, your writing is clever and superb and I love hearing about your family. Keep up the good work!
I’m so glad the soup has become a staple Melissa! Thank you so much for the compliments and for reading the blog, you are awesome! :)
This is delicious, I have made this exactly, too good to change anything. Thanks you
This looks SO GOOD!! Do not know what I am going to do for beef base/broth. BNB has WHEY!!! Dangerous for people with dairy allergies. It also has MSG, listed as yeast extract – try to avoid, but seems prevalent in prepared foods. And there is the sodium content!! Swanson makes a no-salt beef broth available at Target and Walmart. No dairy, but still has MSG. Will try a combination of no-salt beef broth and a bit of Kitchen Bouquet. Promise to report back. LOVE idea of grated potato and carrot – genius!!!
Let me know how it goes Mary! I’m sure any flavorful beef broth will be great in this soup. Enjoy!!
Mary there are beef bouillon cubes now without MSG you can buy at Superstore (most grocery stores now) I get mine at the health food store for just a few bucks -as I read everything to make sure there’s no MSG as well…and box stocks have a lot of sugar in them even when they are beef flavoured…you could check the GoBio organic brand or Harvest Sun if youre in Canada. There’s an organic chicken stock at food basics for only $1.49 a box that is MSG free and beef barley soup really doesn’t need to have beef flavoured stock in it believe it or not ! It doesn’t taste like chicken after simmering down A good marbled stewing beef for several hours.
I have made this soup several times, it is delicious!!
What happens if you forget to rinse the barley? I’ve never cook barley before.
Hey Gail! rinsing the barley is just to clean it a bit. No worries if you forget!
What can you substitute for the better than beef base product? It’s WAY too expensive in my location
I’m very interested in trying this recipe and have all the other ingredients.
Thanks much
Christine
Christine! Any high quality beef broth will work fine!
I have made this stew SO many times and every time I make it, my entire family devours it. It is a flawless recipe and ends up looking exactly like it does in your photos. Thank you for such a homerun recipe!
I’m so happy to hear that Kiki!! Thank you for the review, I’m so glad you all are enjoying it!
Rarely do I find a recipe online that works, or comes out to a flavor I would want to make again. BUT!! THIS RECIPE!!!! WOW!!! I followed the directions close as a cook can ( I did it my way… cue Frank Sinatra)… My family doesn’t care for celery, and I will use it next time but in long stalks so I can remove them before serving, so we get that flavor. The recipe was quite well constructed, and easy to follow (where I did) and I adjusted times for the crock pot I use, as well as the amount of barley (A WHOLE BOX!!!). My wife and I LOVE beef barley soup, especially with a LOT of barley! The Better Than Bullion soup base is a staple in our house and made for a great soup flavoring in the soup! I have recommended this recipe to many, and will continue to do so! LOVE THE SOUP!!!!
Not too partial to it am I now? LOL Well done! a 10 on my scale!!
I’ve never thought to add celery in stalks and then take it out. Great idea for people don’t love celery! I’m glad you like it!
Thanks for the idea of using celery stalks then removing them. I like the taste of the celery but not the texture!
Have made this for many functions and everyone says it’s the beat beef barley soup that they have had, better than their mom’s.
I’m so happy to hear that Stephanie! It’s great when you find a recipe everyone loves. Thanks for sharing your review!
Any suggestions on how I can make this ‘low carb’?
Hey Kat! If you cut out the barley this would be pretty low carb. I’ve seen people replace the barley with rice or buckwheat groats, but those also have carbs.
My family loves this soup.
Thanks for the recipe. It’s a keeper!
Made this on the weekend and turned out great. The flavours were perfect and cooking the barley for 30 minutes was the perfect amount of time to produce the perfect texture.
The only thing I changed was that the cooking time after you add the shredded carrots and potato seems to be excessive. I cooked it for 10 minutes and then added the barley and cooked for another 30 minutes. Quite frankly I think the carrot and potato could be added at the same time as the barley.
Can’t wait to make it again.
Made this last night and it was great. I too added a small can of diced tomatoes drained and enjoyed the added flavour it added. The one issue I had was the cooking time given after you add the carrots and potato. I reduced it to 15 minutes and found it to be more than enough. This reduced the cooking time. The 30 minutes cooking time after adding the barley was the perfect amount of cooking time. The barley was cooked but still had some chew to it.
Can’t wsit to make this again.
I made this tonight and it was fabulous! I used beef stock instead of water and only 1 Tb bouillon base. My husband was skeptical of shredding the carrots and potatoes but we loved the texture! 5 STARS!
yes! i made this today since it’s so cold and i had the day off. The house smells divine. I agree it tastes like home. I added a can of diced tomatoes and a big splash of worcester sauce. Served with salad & crusty french bread, it warmed the soul! thank you to you & your mother in law. :)
Soul warming indeed!! Thank you Jill!
What about using beef broth instead of water and beef base?
Absolutely Denise!! Just make sure it’s a really high quality beef broth!
I would LOVE to see this Beef Barley Soup adapted for IP!🤞🏼
Okay this is a good idea Jenn, I should really do this. Thanks for the suggestion!
I’m trying it tonight! I’m sautéing the beef and then deglazing with broth…I’m going to use manual on high for 8 minutes.
Yes, me too! This soup is incredible but I need it to be done quicker tonight so I am scrolling through the comments hoping for tips on making it in the Instant Pot!!!
Yes me too please!! I was just scanning the comments hoping to find an instant pot adaptation…
I left my furloughed husband this recipe with thawed meat amd told him to make this for dinner. He couldn’t find the Better than bouillion in the fridge and used a cube. When I got home I threw a tbsp of the the beef base and a bay lead and let it simmer for another hour. Came out delicious!! Thanks for sharing!!
Haha, way to put him to work! I love it. Good idea adding the bay leaf, I’ll have to try that next time. I bet it amps up the flavor even more!
I have made the stove top version of this several times over the past few years and loved how it turns out every time, even with my slight variations. We are expecting snow later today and I was going through old recipes, looking for a good snow day project. I confess I do not shred the potatoes and carrots. As suggested in the originial recipe, properly browning the stew beef gives it a deep rich flavor. I use Better than Bouillion for the base and even added a shot of worcestershire sauce for more beefy taste. My husband loves mushrooms so I always add them which supplements the many wonderful textures and the overall heartiness of this soup.
Great tips Kim! Thanks for commenting!
I made this today on the stovetop and it was fabulous. My housemate is gluten-free, so instead of barley I used buckwheat groats. They turned out great. I think maybe I didn’t need a full cup of them, though. They sucked up a lot of the moisture and I had to add water. Still, it added a dark, slightly nutty flavor to everything else. I’d probably use 1/2 cup next time. Also, I added a little white wine to the water to deglaze the pan. This recipe is a keeper!
Okay I am ashamed to admit that I don’t even know what buckwheat groats are!! It sounds very good! I’m glad you were able to adapt it Kimberly, thanks for commenting.
I made this last night but added peas and mushrooms. It was wonderful! Hubby is not a soup fan because he needs something “hearty”. He loved it! It was hearty enough that he only had one bowl!
What is it with men thinking soup is not hearty? My brother calls all soup “girl food.” What the heck, haha! Guys are weird ;)
So good! Just made it for the second time, this time in the crockpot and it worked great!valerie
This soup is wonderful. I have made it a few times in my crockpot. I tried it last night with the instant pot and I was not happy. The flavor was great because the recipe is good but the consistency and the color was horrible. I prefer this soup in the crockpot. I feel like the flavor is more intense and the color is a rich dark brown. I’m going to make this again soon. Maybe on the stovetop this time. This is one of those soups that needs be cooked slow.
I agree Blanca! The longer it cooks, the better.
Absolutely loved this! Simple & easy. Will definitely make again & again & again. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Hey Karen I made this tonight with a lamb roast I found in the freezer! Just as delicious! And to the commenter who mentioned she couldn’t have barley I think orzo would made a great substitute along with rice.
Love reading all the new comments I haven’t read. I just wish my mother would be able to appreciate how much people love her soup. Last time I mentioned it she and my dad couldn’t even remember the beef barley soup. That made me sad.
Oh no, that is really sad. Maybe you need to bring some over to them :) Good idea using lamb, that sounds delicious! Someone on Instagram posted about this soup, she’s gluten free so she used rice and said it worked great. She said you have to up the broth amount and maybe next time she will cut out the potato because rice makes it pretty starchy.
I made this Barley Soup today. It came out really well. My husband loves it so it will always be the one I use.
I’m so happy to hear that Audrey! It’s great when you find a keeper recipe. Thanks for the review!
This is one ultimate Beef Barley soup one of my wife’s favs and now this one is our favorites!!!
Ultimate is the perfect word for it Lee! Thanks for commenting!
The first time I made this soup, my husband declared it “the best thing you’ve ever made!”
Thanks for the recipe! It’s a soup season favorite!
That’s the best feeling, right?? I’m so glad you all liked it :) Thanks for commenting!
Wondering if this recipe has a strong onion taste. I tried the meat about 3 hours in and it tasted very oniony. Wondering if when i add the meat in about 2 hours if that will change the taste significantly?
Thank you so much for response and the recipe.
Hey Marissa! I’ve never tasted the recipe when it’s halfway cooked so I couldn’t tell you. I do know that after cooking and simmering all day, it tastes fabulous!
This recipe turned out amazing!!! My husbands buddy came over for the weekend and my husband and him were raving over the flavor!
Thank you !!!
I made this today…..cold, rainy day. OMG the house smelled so so good and the BEST soup recipe ever !! Absolutely delicious and you’re right, feels like home. Your mother in law and her recipe are keepers :) Thanks so much for sharing !!
Haha, they sure are keepers Tonya! I’m so glad you liked the recipe, thank you so much for commenting!
This soup was AMAZING! I did the stove top version. I was a little leery of the shredded carrots and potatoes, but I followed the recipe and it couldn’t have been better! I am making a second pot this weekend!
That’s awesome Lauri! I’m so glad you decided to shred, it’s a game changer :) Thanks for commenting, it’s great to hear from you!
All of these are beautiful! I don’t know which I like most! With warm weather finally here (in San Diego, at least), I’m sure to being making many if not all of these over the next weeks and months.
Holy shit this soup was tasty! New fav soup. Thank you!
Bahaha! This made me laugh out loud. Well said! ;)
I made your soup and it was GREAT. I had never used the Beef Base before
so that was great. Iam going to give my neighbor some tomorrow, I froze it
so it is thawing now.
Love your recipes and thank you.
Bonnie
I’m so glad you commented Bonnie! Thank you for telling me you loved the soup! I bet somebody has a new favorite neighbor :)
Made this for a work potluck and ended up craving it so hard I made a second batch for moving day at the new place. Total hit — I will be adding this to my short list of favorite comfort foods.
And I almost never make the same recipe twice so that’s saying something.
Thank you for this fabulous recipe!
Thank you Ryn! Anytime you have to make something again right away, you know you’ve found a winner. :)
I also wondered about amount of onion, I know it says 2 onions….though they are different sizes, could you tell about how many cups? Thanks Sharon :)
I am impressed with your quick response!
What kind of potatoes?…Have’nt made it yet, but researched, until I found this without tomatoes…have all my ingreidiants, with great reviews, bought not instant pearl Barley, I hope thirty minutes is long enough, will be sure to rinse them, mainly what type potatoes…? Thank you:) Sharon Looks Delish!!!
Hey Sharon! I just used Russet potatoes, but I think any kind will work just fine. Enjoy!
This soup is my family’s favorite on soup night they always ask for this. This soup is home in a pot, just excellent, no changes to the recipe are necessary it’s perfect as is.
“home in a pot” I agree with you there Retta!
This is a terrific recipe for a delicious, rich barley soup.
I will definitely make this over and over.
I’m not even a big soup person, and I just love this recipe! The smell is incredible, and the shredding of the carrots and potatoes gives it the perfect texture. I’m making this again as soon as it’s not 96° outside :)
It really is all about the texture! Thanks mom!!
Barley is not allowed in my diet. Probably a silly question , since it is Beef Barley Soup, but is there anything I could use as a substitute?
Hey Sandra, I haven’t tried it, but you could probably substitute rice for the barley. You could either add cooked rice at the end, or add uncooked rice and let it simmer until cooked. Let me know how it goes!
Soup recipe is good just WAY too salty. And I like salty food. Probably best to not salt the beef as the better than bouillon has sufficient salt. Always easier to add salt than to remove it. I came close to pitching the whole pot, it was that salty.
Hey Yespat! I’m sorry it was too salty for you. How much salt did you add when salting the beef? It should be a generous sprinkle and no more. I’m wondering if that’s the issue.
I love this recipe! I found the stovetop preparation much easier and more flavourful. When I add the barley I also add very finely chopped kale, about 1cup. It really helps take it over the top!
Love the idea of adding kale to up the health factor Kelly! Great idea!! Thanks for the tip!
This is the best recipe I have used. It is now my go to favorite.
So happy to hear that Kim! It’s definitely my favorite too :) Thanks so much for leaving a comment!!
I make this all the time, I love this recipe and my family loves this soup! Everyone that has tried it, loves it, it’s a keeper in my house !!
So happy to hear that Kim! This soup is definitely a crowd pleaser :) Thanks so much for stopping by to leave a comment!!
So delicious!! Thick, warm comfort food. I have made this multiple times and will continue to make it!
I’m so happy to hear that Kelly! It is just the best soup. You’re right, thick and warm comfort food! Thanks for much for commenting with your review Kelly!
this is a great soup, i have made it at least 6 times, always get compliments
That is awesome Judy! It’s such a classic! Thanks for commenting!
I’ve made this several times now and we love it! I agree that Kris is a great cook – we knew her back in the day when Chip was still in college and they just had the two girls. My husband still talks about her french bread!
That is so awesome Mary Ann! I will have to tel Kris, she will love to hear this :)
Wow, thanks Mary Ann! So glad you love this and you follow Karen’s wonderful blog! She’s an amazingly talented woman and the best daughter-in-law a mom could have.
Just made this for a friend who just returned from a tough hospital stay…easy and boy, so good. Very rich and meaty, that base makes a really big difference. Thanks for a keeper!
SO happy to hear this Janet! Thanks for the review. I know this is what I would want after a hospital stay!
I have made this soup 6 times now. It has replaced a beef barley recipe I have been using for 10 years. I absolutely adore this soup. Thank you for sharing this family recipe, it is well-loved in my family.
That is awesome Kate! So happy to hear your family loves it as much as mine!
No two words about it! “WONDERFUL”
This is my favourite recipe for Beef Barley Soup by far! I recently got an Instant Pot. I was just wondering if anyone has tried this recipe using the Instant Pot and if the results were the same. If so, how was it cooked and for how long?
I haven’t tried it yet Belinda but I know others have done it! I don’t have time for you though, sorry!
I tried it in my Instant Pot and while it was still good, it was nowhere near as delicious as it is on the stovetop. I LOVE my IP but this is one recipe I will always do the “old” way!
Good to know Elizabeth! Thanks for the tip!
Best beef barley soup I’ve ever eaten. Family loves it too.
This is one of my go to cold weather dishes. YUM.
This may be the best soup I’ve ever made or eaten! I LOVED it!!!
So happy to hear that Ginnie! I agree! :)
This was the best beef barley soup I have ever had. Thanks for the receipe🍜 Beth Ireland
The best ever. Sometimes I add a can of tomatoes
made this 3 xs so good
Do you think I can use Demi glacé in place of the beef base? I’ve made this soup before and it’s amazzzzzing !!! Hoping to use the demi glacé I have if possible tomorrow. Thanks!
Hey Christie! I have no idea since I’ve never tried it, but I bet it would be good! Let me know how it goes!
Nov 19, 2017. Made this today and I have to say, it is a fantastic, flavorful, yummy to the yummiest of soups! I love beef barley but this wa so easy and even though it took a while to cook, it didn’t matter. My family lived it!! 10 stars! Next time I think I will take it up a notch with some mushrooms! Love love love!!
I’m so excited to try this! Question about the beef base: I have just regular beef bullion, will that still work or should I use beef stock instead? Thanks!
regular beef bouillon will be fine! It won’t be quite as rich, but still good!
This was excellent! I will absolutely make this again. Thanks so much for sharing.
So delicious. Thanks to your and your mother-in-law for sharing it.
We have made this recipe several times now, always on the stovetop. It is simply the best beef barley soup we have had. Absolutely better after sitting a day and freezes great! Lots of fresh cracked pepper and sometimes a dollop of sour cream….yummy! Definitely stick to your bones. Thank you!
I love this soup so much, I can’t even tell you! I’m planning to make it for dinner tomorrow, and had a thought about making some ahead for the holidays, when we’ll have family in town, and freezing it. I saw in a few comments about that you say it freezes beautifully, but I wanted to see if there’s anything specific that needs to be done when preparing it to be frozen. Do you make it with the barley, then freeze, or freeze before that step and cook with the barley after you thaw it? I’d love any feedback you can give – thanks so much!
Hey Stephanie, I’m so glad you love the soup! No, I don’t do anything special to freeze. I just throw it in a zip lock bag and toss it in. Then when thawing, I leave it in the sink for several hours, or you could let it thaw in the fridge over a few days. I hope it works out well for you! Let me know!
Love this soup!!! I made it last night for my husband and me and it was sooo good. I’m making more today for our neighborhood Soup Swap next month. We each bring 5 quarts of soup frozen in quart freezer bags and then go home with 5 soups of our choice and the recipes for all the soups brought. Its a fun evening and this is our 4th year to have it! They will love this recipe.
Soup Swap! How fun! I would love to host something like that. Great idea Sandy, thanks for sharing and I’m glad you liked the soup :)
This was the first soup for us this fall and it will be made a lot more times. Great soup and a great leftover.
Thanks Brenda! I agree, the leftovers are the BEST! Thanks for the review!
This soup is everything you’d hope for! I’ve made this soup multiple times and it never dissapointes. The perfect cold day comfort food! And your home will smell amazing!
Pairs great with some fresh yeast rolls! Num!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/444660163193699779/
It is totally perfect cold day food, I agree Malinda! Thanks so much for the feedback, and for the link to the amazing looking rolls!!
Made this faster version of this soup (not slow cooker) and it was fabulous not to mention the great smell in the house. This recipe is definitely a keeper in my house. Five stars!
The smell really is amazing, right? I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for the review!
YES. I love this hearty soup. I made it in August and we live in Florida. Barley is highly under-rated and because of the beef my boys loved it also. i used Beef Stock and added worcestershire and sour cream when serving. My parents asked for the recipe. Thank you!
Ooh I like the sour cream idea Lisa! I never would have thought of that. I will have to try it out! Thanks so much for the review!
I saw this on pinterest and bought the barley to make it and just never got to it. Today I found some tenderized chuck steak on sale at the grocery store and was trying to think of what to do with it and found this recipe again. Oh my goodness, this is delicious!!!! Perfect for a cool rainy night and we’ll definitely be adding it to our fall/winter meal plan rotation! :)
I love that you found the same recipe twice! That’s so funny. And perfect! Love it when that chuck steak goes on sale :) Thanks for the review!!
One of the best soups I ever made
Agree, Michele! Thanks for your review!
I’m loving it! I did use homemade chicken broth in place of the water for extra flavor with the beef bouillon
That sounds delicious!
This is my go-to Beef Barley Soup. Instead of a crock pot I brown my beef in my pressure cooker then deglaze with the beef stock and pressure cook (just the beef) for 15 minutes. I release the pressure, add the rest of the ingredients, and cook normally (no lid) for an hour. Fork-tender beef and it’s ready in just over an hour :)
Pressure cookerrrrrr!! I have one and never use it because I’m scared. You’ve inspired me! Now I have to try it!
I used my Instant Pot and it was delicious! Wonderful soup – thanks!
Your recipe made a beautiful soup but way too salty. I used the beef base you recommended and put in less than the 3 Tablespoons called for but it is salty. Should it be 3 tsps? Thank you for the recipe.
That’s such a bummer Jackie! It really does call for 3 tablespoons though. Did you over salt the meat perhaps? Or use less water? Did you omit the potato? I’m sorry it didn’t work out.
Love the grated potato idea. Thank You
It totally makes it right! Thanks Dib!
This soup is one of the best soups I have ever tasted. My daughter who always complains when I make soup also loved it. Thanks for sharing the great recipe.
So happy to hear that Nora! I agree, it really is one of my favorite soups. So glad we made a soup convert out of your daughter!!
Excellent! Only change I made was to increase the water.
Glad you liked it Rose!
Hi,
I have a question about cooking this in the slow cooker. You mention that the barley should be added later. How long would it need to cook in the slow cooker?
Thank you.
Hi Rosmarie! Right at the end of the recipe (step 12) it says you should cook the barley for about an hour. I hope you love it!
I made this soup… And I really found it very filling. I doubled the quantity just so I could have some for quick lunches if needed. But I will be making this soup again… Thank you.
I’m so glad you’ve found a keeper Gina! Thanks for the feedback!
Absolutely Delicious!!! Wow, thank you for a wonderful recipe. After reading about the health benefits of barley I’ll be making this often. Yummy
I should totally look up the health benefits of barley so that I can feel even MORE AWESOME whenever I make this soup :) Glad you liked it C!
My family really love soups, especially beef soup and chicken soup. Many thanks for sharing a great recipe. I can’t wait to try to make it tonight. So excited!
If you’re family is into soup, they will totally love this one :) Let me know how it goes Marsha!
Totally enjoyed…added to our family recipe box. 😉 Used sweet vs white potato, that was pretty tasty.
Oooh yum, I bet it was great with with sweet potatoes! Thanks for sharing Correen!
This soup is amazing, so delicious! Thank you so much for recipe, I will definetely share with my friends.
Thank you for sharing Maria, and for the review! I’m so glad you enjoyed it :)
I have to say I’m almost sorry that the warmer weather is here….this soup is crazy good. I have made it 4 times since January! It turns out perfectly every single time. I shared the recipe with my sister and she too, has made it a go-to recipe!
Simply delicious. Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear that Rita! Yeah it is warming up here in California too and I haven’t made this in a while. It’s so good it’s almost worth making it in the summer though. :) So glad you love the recipe, and thank you for sharing with your sister!
Oh my gosh, my husband loved this recipe (and so did I!). I made it just this past Sunday and I wasn’t sure what he’d think of the barley. He kept sneaking bites out of the crock pot and each time I caught him because I heard him going “nom nom nom nom” in the kitchen LOL. He informed me that this is definitely a keeper and I was showered with appreciation for making it so thank YOU for sharing your recipe!
Hahaha! I’m glad there was enough left for you to eat for dinner. Thanks for the review! So happy you both enjoyed it!
I made this soup today. Wonderful!!
So glad you enjoyed it Cindy! Thanks for the review!
My husband made this today and i am quite disappointed with how bland the soup was. We added spices, bay leaves and more salt, but it still wasn’t enough.
Over the years hundreds of people have contacted me to tell me how much they love this soup! This is the first negative review, ever. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you! Because the recipe has been tested so many times I’m wondering if you changed the recipe at all? Did you use a good quality beef broth? Did you overcook the beef? I say give it another try! This is one of our favorite family recipes!
I have a question about the beef base. I have to cup down on sodium could i substitute beef base for broth? Thanks
I’m not sure what you are asking Christine. Do you mean you want to sub broth for the beef base? Yes, I think that would work great!
I generally pass on Beef Barley Soups but your pictures hooked me and I am glad they did. I made this yesterday and have eaten 3 bowls since. Warm, delicious and comforting! YUM! Thank you.
I should totally rename this “3 Bowl Soup” Because you are right, you can’t have just one! Haha. Thanks for coming back to comment Jeanne, so glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for a soup recipe (Slow cooker or otherwise) that does not have vegetables cooked for hours on end. When they are added at the start (Especially with a slow cooker) at the end of the cooking time they are over cooked and everything tastes the same. This is not the way soup is supposed to taste. Keep up the good work.
I am totally with you Jeff! Most veggies don’t need that long in the pot :) Glad you are liking what you’re seeing!
No bay leaf?
No bay leaf Linda! But I’m sure it would be great if you added one!
i WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE SOUP IN BULK. CAN I JUST DOUBLE THE INGREDIENTS?
lOOKS AMAZING
Hey Mona! Yes, you can totally double it. You will need a BIG pot! :) Enjoy!
I made this with pearl onions and bags of hash browns and shredded carrots. The super easy, lazy way. Only had to chop the celery.
Ummm that is genius. I’m totally trying the hash browns!!! Thanks for the idea Victoria!!
I have made this FIVE times already !!! This is now my base reciepe , I have added mixed veggies, chicken, dumpling ( I know it’s very decadant )!.sooo good thank you for sharing!
5!!! That is awesome! I’m coming for dinner! :)
I made this recipe tonight for dinner -delicious!! I liked how the shredded veggies helped to thicken it up. The bullion you recommended was very good, not too salty like some cheaper brands. Thank you.
Perfect Susan! I agree, Better Than Bouillon is the best!
Hi Karen,
I made this today in the crockpot. I have never cooked with barley before, and was a bit nervous we wouldn’t like the taste, but it was delciious! My 11 year old loved it and ate up every bit! I followed your recipe closely, but I added sliced white mushrooms and didn’t shred the carrots. I like carrot chunks in soup! I did shred the potato, which was great idea. The potato sort of melted away, but made the broth a little thicker. Thanks for the great and hearty recipe!
I love the idea of adding mushrooms Karen! My mother in law (the OG for beef barley soup) adds them sometimes. I’m so glad you liked it!
I made this soup the other day. I tasted the broth right after adding the Better than Bouillon and thought it tasted way to salty. However, once you add the raw potatos they tend to adsorb the extra salt. This was even better the next day. This is definitely a keeper. So much so, I’m already making a second batch. Thank you for the recipe.
That’s good to know Barbara! Thanks for the tip. Enjoy!
I just finished eating this and wanted to share that it was absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing such a warm wonderful recipe!
Thanks for coming back to comment Dana, I so appreciate it! I’m glad you liked it :)
Made this today on this cold October day. And I must say it is delish. Didn’t change a thing and followed the recipes as directed. Pairing this with a homemade handheld Apple pie just seemed fitting :)
Thanks for the share!
A
Handheld Apple Pie!! Sounds like the perfect fall combo :) Glad you enjoyed it!
It most certainly was…here is the recipe I used: http://www.alexandracooks.com/2011/11/10/apple-hand-pies-with-cheddar-crust-so-delicious/
Enjoy!
I have to tell you, I have searched for YEARS for a great beef and barley soup recipe and I have liked some of the ones I have tried, but this recipe is, by far, the best I have EVER tried! I made this just today and I almost cried when I took that first bite!!! AMAZING!!!!! It will be a staple for sure….and will be an instant choice to make for family and friends. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
That is awesome Sandra! So happy to be able to supply the beef barley soup of your dreams! :) And you can thank my mother-in-law and her mother, they are the geniuses here.
I left a comment earlier and I have to add another…a friend of my husband’s has asked me to cook for him (he’s a student and his mom has MS and doesn’t have the energy to cook for him) and he specifically asked for this soup to be included in his “weekly” basket. Iv
Dear Karen, I followed your “soup lies” link back over here after reading the Cowboy Bean soup blog post. I read all the comments on this soup, and I have to say I got a little teary eyed thinking about how well received my mother’s delicious soup has been and how many families now love it and consider it a favorite. Really, I was blown away by all the positive comments after people made it! I love that you have been sharing so many of our well-loved family recipes, not only for us for but for other families to love and enjoy also. Food memories are some of the best and happiest family moments. Thank you.
Hi Karen,
I have made your recipe a dozen or so times! My family loves it! The smell that fills my house is amazing! Thank you for sharing it :)
Amanda
That’s awesome to hear Amanda!! I don’t think I’ve even made it that many times! You must be pro :)
This was so good! I added a cup of red wine at the start that I had left over from the night before and it really upped the flavor since my beef was really lean. Was planning on freezing the leftovers but we ate it all even though it was 100 F outside :)
Haha! This is definitely a soup I would eat in the summer Emily :) Good idea with the wine!
I made this for dinner last night because I started a new eating plan to get my health in check. I’m on my first week and it’s tricky finding meals that will work for the WHOLE family. This was a totally ‘legal’ recipe and it was SO VERY GOOD. I have two 16-year-old sons and a 13-year-old daughter and all three gushed about how good it was. One even went back for seconds. My husband also really liked it and, while he never considers soup to be a ‘meal’, the cubes of beef must’ve won him over :)
I couldn’t understand why the potato was supposed to be shredded and almost diced it up instead. So glad I didn’t! Now I know how to thicken a soup w/o flour or corn starch. Sweet!
Thanks so much for sharing this. I’m sure I’ll be making it often as I learn this new way of eating.
That’s awesome Valerie! So glad you found something that works with your new plan that the whole family can love. That’s the best! Enjoy the rest of your summer and good luck!
Thank you so much! I decided at 5 tonight that I wanted this for dinner. Kids and I whipped, or chopped it up, cooked in pressure cooker, and were sitting around dinner table by 7:30 enjoying this amazing soup! ! Plus it poured and hailed today so perfect! Hubby came home exhausted and loving this. Thanks again!
Pressure cooker!! Awesome! I need to try this! Glad it worked out, thanks for commenting! Don’t you love it when it rains on soup days? :)
What kind of barley? I’ve never used barley before. I could only spot instant.
Hi Courtney! I use pearl barley for this recipe, I found it by the dry rice and beans in my store. Let me know if instant works for you! You would definitely need to cook it less time if you use instant.
I ended up at a health food store and found hulled or hull-less barley in one of those big tubs you can fill a bag with. It took ages to cook, but my gosh was it good. Although the potatoes completely melted into the soup given all the cook time. Still delicious. I will be making it again come fall!
Making this soup was very easy, and made my house smell amazing! It was so delicious. Definitely making this again soon! Thanks for sharing it.
This soup has the best smell right Esther? So glad you liked it! Thanks for commenting!
My goodness this was delicious! It was snowing today and was the prefect day to stay inside and simmer a soup. This is the first soup recipe that i have tried from pinterest where i didn’t do any thing to change it. The neat was literally falling apart and the barley added a new dimension to a classic recipe. My husband was absolutely giddy while eating dinner tonight, as he enjoyed it so much. Thanks for sharing an amazing recipe!
I’m so glad Sara! My mother-in-law (who gave me this recipe–she got it from her mom) was telling me this week that she just made this for a family who needed a meal. It’s just such good comfort food. Thanks so much for commenting! Reading stuff like this makes blogging worth it. :)
Looking for a good beef and barley soup WITHOUT TOMATOES. So glad I found your site. This soup is truely fantastic. The potatoes dissappeared, but I think their only role was to provide thickening from their starch. I was hoping they would visibly stick around. The barley was the spotlight starch. I bought the jarred “Better than Boullion”. Glad I did. Since this was a major comonent of the flavor profile, I’m glad I spent the $4.50 for the jar. Remember, you should economize when you can, so that when you need to spend a little extra on a recipe item, you will know that you saved your money in other places to allow you the cashflow to maintain the integrity of the dish. My house smells great from this soup, and I will absolutely be making this again in the future. Very hearty, makes you feel warm inside. I’m going on your maiing list. One concern, after writing all this (without my own website URL to enter into the comment webform box), I hope my comment is published to further assure potential cooks that this beef barley soup is a keeper.
I’m making this for the very first time, never had barley before…….. I admit I’m tasting ever step of the way, and so far awesome. It’s perfect for today, here in Arkansas we’re not used to temps being 11 degrees, we recently had an icy road again not used too, even though main roads are clear mine is still iced over, and I wanted soup, found your recipe on Pinterest and it looks amazing, this looked so good, I walked down to the corner store to get barley. I wanted to say thank you for posting this is going to become my go to soup on winter storm days.
I’m impressed that your corner store had barley! Well stocked :) I’m so happy the soup worked out for you Ashley! Thanks for coming back to comment!
When simmering for 2 hours…does it need to be covered?
Hi Shaun! Great question. I usually leave it on, or half on so that it’s vented a little. If you leave it off you run the risk of your soup becoming a thicker stew. I’ve changed the recipe. Hope you love the soup!
The Enchilada soup link goes to a chicken and dumplings soup.
Thanks Mary Ellen! All fixed.
I’ve never left a comment on a recipe before…but this one is worthy! It is so hearty and rich in flavor. My husband and 3-year-old daughter love it as much as I do. The shredded veggies add a lot of texture and also make it more appealing to my daughter (who doesn’t realize she’s eating them). Thrilled to have found a new soup staple for winter! Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad it was a hit for your family Dana! The shredded veggies totally makes it, I agree. Thanks for commenting, I really appreciate hearing your feedback! I put a lot into this little blog and comments like this are part of what makes it worth it for me. :)
I just made this yesterday, and it was fabulous! Thank you! But I found that the barley needed more like an hour to really cook and absorb all of the water. So in the future, I’ll add it earlier in the process.
I used home-made beef bone broth, which I had made over the weekend as an experiment, and it was a good combination. Making the broth is a lot of work, though, and I don’t know if I would do it again.
Oh, good to know Janet! Curious, were you making this on the stovetop or in the crock pot? That’s awesome that you made your own beef broth. I don’t know if I would have the patience!
Stovetop, in a 7-qt pot. I’m glad I did it that way, because my poor old crockpot wouldn’t have been big enough.
This is the basic stock recipe that I used: http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/twarda/recipes/Basic_Brown_Soup_Stock.html . The only change I made was to include garlic. Looking at it again, I realize that my stock was greatly reduced! I ended up with 2 quarts, and I should have gotten 4.
Yeah, you need a BIG crock pot for this recipe. Thanks for the link to the stock! Maybe I’ll try it someday!
Have you frozen this soup before? How is it?Thanks!
Hi Mary Ann! This soup freezes great, as do most soups. I’ve done it lots of times. Enjoy!
I have this on the stove right now and after reading the recipe I am not sure if I should cover the pot for the 2 hour simmer. It does not say to, but it’s a soup so I don’t want all of the moisture to simmer out.
Thanks!
I usually leave the lid off and turn it to medium low. You could leave the lid on if you want though. It’s really up to you! If your soup turns out too thick, you can always add more broth toward the end.
Could you, please, share what brand of food processor you use? I have tried a couple and my veggies do not come out like your potatoes did. I either get some big chunks and some small or I end up with juice. And we make soups a lot and stews and I could really use a good food processor and save some time. Thank you.
Hey Julia! I use a Cuisinart ProClassic. I’ve had it for years and I LOVE it! Never fails.
Can I use pot barley for this recipe?
I’ve never tried pot barley, Rose, but I’m sure it would work. You will have to look up some cook times for pot barley, it might take longer.
I’ve been searching for a “keeper” Beef and Barley soup for ages and I think at last I’ve found it with yours! Most are not as thick and hearty, but adding potatoes and shredding those and the carrots seem to be key. So rich and comforting! I did add a tablespoon of Worcestershire…that was a good tip! How did you shred your carrots and potatoes? I used a food processor and didn’t have the thick carrot shreds that appear in your photo. Thanks so much!
Hey Dana, I’m glad you finally found a keeper! Yes, I use a food processor to shred the potatoes and carrots. My shredder looks the same size as your average cheese grater I would say (the largest holes). I’ve manually shredded successfully before, though it was a pain, not to mention messy!
My hubby and I just finished the last of this amazing soup. I made it a couple of months ago and froze what we didn’t eat the first time around. He was so thrilled when we ate it the first time. I must say it was the most delicious soup I’ve ever made. Since it’s gone now, I thought I’d wait to make it again, but he said no. So I’ll make it again and freeze it all for our next go around. It was truly fabulous. Thanks for the post.
Awesome Sue! Isn’t it so great when you find a recipe your whole family can get behind? Love it! Thanks for the review, I really appreciate it! Have a great week!
I have always loved beef barley soup and must say this is the BEST recipe ever! I have made it several times, packed it in quarts, and shared it with several sick friends and neighbors during this flu season. It’s packed with good nutrients. Organic meat & veggies plus low sodium Better than Boullion make it even healthier. What a comfort food on a cold blustery day here in the Midwest whether one is ill or not. Thank you for sharing!
What a sweet comment Patricia! I’m like you, I haven’t been able to stop making this soups this winter, for friends, neighbors, company, my freezer…I’m so glad you like it, and thanks for your feedback!
I (very recently!) received a slow cooker and decided to try this recipe. I am an accomplished cook and baker, and I have to say, not only was this an easy recipe, it made the BEST beef barley soup my husband and I have ever tasted!! Thanks for sharing…I get your recipes sent to me and I plan on try many more!!
Thanks so much for coming back to comment Laurie! I’m glad you guys liked it!
Could I use beef stock instead of the beef base/water or would it not be as rich in flavor?
Hi Aileen! I’ve never tried this recipe with beef stock. If it’s a really high-quality beef stock I can’t see why it would make a difference. Let me know how it goes!
Made this yesterday and it worked brilliantly – really liked the shredded carrot & potato in it. I added about a teaspoon of dried thyme and added a shake of worcestershire at the end – it was delicious.
Hooray! I’m so glad you loved it Kelly. Good idea with the thyme! I’ll have to add some next time. Thanks for coming back to comment!
I made your beef and barley soup today…simply fantastic! The house smelled so good I with the soup cooking. (I really wanted to dig in early, but I waited :))
Thanks very much to you and your MIL for the recipe. This one is a keeper.
Hooray! Glad it worked out for you Andrea. Another Beef Barley Soup convert :) Thanks for commenting! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you too! btw…I froze some of my soup to enjoy later.
I made this soup today and it was delicious! My husband ate 3 bowls! It was the perfect dinnner for a snowy night. I will be making this again for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome! Anytime people are eating 3rds of something you know it’s a success right? :) Thanks for the feedback! Merry Christmas Sarah!
Does this soup freeze well?
Thank you.
Yes Reneé, it freezes beautifully! Happy Thanksgiving!
Beef barley soup was perfect. Followed the recipe to the tee. Shredded my potatoes and they cooked away. I never saw them in the final dish. What did I do wrong.? Cooked the soup in a crock pot. This is a keeper
I’m glad you liked it Michael! I’m not sure about the potatoes. Maybe you cooked them too long? I’m glad it still tasted good!
I’ve been waiting for a rainy, cold day to try this soup! The day finally arrived and I was not disappointed. I started it on the stovetop in the early afternoon and let it simmer away. Everyone coming home from school and work complimented the amazing smell and when it was time to eat…everyone loved it! It was my first time cooking with barley so I wasn’t sure if it was cooked enough, still chewy, but so good! Thanks for a great new go-to winter soup.
Hooray! I’m so glad you and your family loved this Nancy! It really is the perfect rainy day soup right? And the smell. My goodness, the smell. :) Thanks for commenting!
Geez, nevermind…I just found it! Sorry!
Hello! I’m planning on making the slow cooker version but my question is, do I use the water in that recipe? I can’t find any water in the slow cooker version.
Thanks!
Just wanted to say we had Beef Barley soup for supper tonight and this is our new favorite soup. Your directions were easy to follow and accurate. Thank You
I’m so glad you guys liked it! Thanks for the feedback! I love this soup.
Getting ready to serve this and tasted it to see if it needs Worcestershire. I made this as directed but added some diced mushrooms – everything else I did as directed. This is SOOOOO overwhelmingly salty. Does anyone know how that can be changed if I make it again?
Hi Vicki, I’m sorry the soup turned out salty for you. The only salt called for in the recipe is when you salt and pepper the meat before browning, and I am quite generous on that step. I think the problem might be your beef bouillon. Many low-quality bouillons are over-salty. I recommend the Better than Bouillon brand. I’m sorry it didn’t work out this time!
I used the better than bouillon brand and I felt it was way too salty also. In one teaspoon there was 700 mg of salt. The recipe called for 3 tablespoons. That comes out to over 6000 msg of salt. I think that next time I will cut down on the bouillon or make the soup with beef marrow bones.
I’m sorry you thought it was salty Cathy! I’m surprised. Sometimes I sprinkle on even more salt and pepper when the soup is done. But I know salt levels are a personal preference! I like the beef marrow bones idea. That sounds delicious.
Add extra potato they soak up a lot of salt.
Still loving that you posted this when I posted mine. Yours looks so comforting and the pics are so clear. Yum!
Loving the new blog design, by the way! I love how clean it is!
I know, we are so awesome! Beef Barley soup is where it’s AT. And thanks, I’m so glad you like the design!
I would really like to walk in on this soup. I’ll be right over. I mean, it looks so beefy.
I could seriously go for a bowl right now – it looks amazing
This soup looks incredible. I want to dig right in! Looking forward to seeing the new design!
Whoa! New blog look! I like it. :) And I chuckled when I read about you walking into your in-laws’ house for the first time. I met my in-laws only TWICE before we were engaged and the first time doesn’t really count because my husband was having a Labor Day party and I was just one of many people who at the time had no reason to stand out to his parents. ;) I can’t remember what my future mother-in-law cooked the first time I came over, but she did bring out the REAL plates. And she told me it would be the last time and from then on I’d get styrofoam like everyone else, bahaha.
Beef Barley Soup is one of my favorites. I’m so glad you coaxed this recipe out of your mother-in-law and shared it with us! :)
This sounds amazing, Karen – and love, love, love the story behind it as well. Pinning as I know my husband would absolutely love it.
And seriously, these photos rock!
Karen, good to know where to find the barley in the grocery store… would not have known! This is definitely that kind of “lazy day” soup!
PS… you’re so sweet, thank you for the link love! :)
I love those soups that taste like home and this one sounds just so comforting.
A NEW BLOG DESIGN?!?! I am going to be on the edge of my seat until Saturday. Ican’twaitIcan’twaitIcan’twaitIcan’twait!!
AHHH!!! Your new design!! I cannot wait to see it. Seriously. I remember talking about it in SJ in July, and I’ve been so curious ever since. Two whole days… They can’t fly by fast enough! :) And I remember the first time I walked into my guy’s house. Although, umm, it wasn’t nearly as comforting as your experience. But I walked into their cabin at Tahoe before then, the first time I met his parents, and they made stew that night. So let’s stick with that happy experience instead! ;) Pinned as always!
mmmm Amy…!!
Thanks for finagling! I’ll be trying this on Tuesday, in the crock pot. Can’t wait to have a taste! I can tell that it’s another fabulous savory winner!
This looks so amazing!! I love that story :)
Such a beautiful story! I bet you felt like the perfect girl for Eric after you mastered this soup. It sounds delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever even bought barley. Can’t wait to try this!
What a beautiful bowl of hearty soup! I can do this every day.
I think if I made this Brian would marry me all over again…and he’s not even a soup lover. Shredded vegetables I can do with my food processor, so, yes, easy! This is definitely happening.
This sounds like the perfect rainy day soup. Now if only we’d get some rain! Can’t wait to see the new look :)
I cannot wait to try this soup!
Thank you for sharing!
Anytime Emily! I’m glad it looks good to you! Happy soup making, and happy October :)
What is the green that looks like spinach in the picture?
Hi Terri! The green is actually finely chopped basil. I added it for color for the photos, though it’s not called for in the recipe. I happen to have an overflowing basil plant in my backyard, so it was just what I had on hand. If you want to garnish the recipe with fresh herbs, I would suggest parsley. Happy cooking, and thanks for the comment!
Karen, your pictures are fabulous. This soup never looked so good! I made this last Sunday for company and added about a cup and half of sliced mushrooms that needed to be used. It was a hit! I want to give all the credit for this delicious soup to my mother. I don’t know where she got the recipe or how she came up with it, but I remember eating it often growing up and I never got tired of it! Thanks for posting it!
I LOVE soup, any time of year, but especially fall! Recipes passed down are the best kind :) Looks amazing! And I can’t wait to see your new design!
Oh my this does look like it tastes like home Karen! I love barley in soup! I can’t believe I’m going to say this but this soup makes me excited for winter! Just looking at it makes me feel all warm and cuddly inside.