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.

crock pot beef and barley soup in a white bowl.
Table of Contents
  1. You’ll Love This Recipe for Beef Barley Soup
  2. Beef Barley Soup Recipe Ingredients
  3. How to make Beef Barley Soup
  4. Tips for Beef Barley Soup in Crock Pot
  5. Storing Beef and Barley Soup
  6. Serving Crock Pot Beef and Barley Soup
  7. Beef and Barley Soup Recipe FAQ
  8. Other soups you will love:
  9. Beef Barley Soup Recipe

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.

You’ll Love This Recipe for Beef Barley Soup

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 catalog 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.

Beef Barley Soup Recipe Ingredients

This recipe for beef barley soup is loaded with hearty, good-for-you ingredients! See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions.

  • Beef stew meat (nicely marbled beef chunks)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Oil
  • Water
  • Beef base
  • Celery
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Potato
  • Carrots
  • Pearl barley
whole peeled carrots for beef and barley soup.

How to make Beef Barley Soup

You should have heard me try to finagle this recipe out of Kris. 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.

closeup of crock pot beef barley soup recipe in a large pot.

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.

chunks of browned beef on a plate for crock pot beef barley soup.
a jar of better than bouillon beef base being held.

I love Better than Bouillon. It adds the BEST flavor to soup.

shredded potatoes in a food processor

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.

celery being chopped on a wood cutting board

 

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.

Tips for Beef Barley Soup in Crock Pot

  • Brown the beef. Giving the beef chunks a nice sear before putting together your soup creates the best texture and flavor. Don’t skip this step! 
  • Brown in batches. I recommend splitting the beef up into 3 batches when browning. If there’s too much in the pan at once, you’ll end up steaming it rather than searing it. 
  • Is your soup too thick? Depending on how long you simmer, sometimes the soup can get much too thick. If you like a soupier soup, just add more water and beef base to thin it back out. 
  • Slow cooker or stovetop! This recipe is great in the slow cooker or on the stove, so I’ve included instructions for both. Pick whatever fits your time frame the best!
beef barley crock pot soup being lifted from a pot.

Storing Beef and Barley Soup

One of my favorite things about soup is just how easy it is to make a giant batch to store and eat the whole week! 

To store your soup, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. It can also be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.

To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm on low on the stove until everything is heated through.

Serving Crock Pot Beef and Barley Soup

I love making this crusty One Hour French Bread to go with this Beef Barley soup. It would also be amazing with Homemade Crescent Rolls, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, or Garlic Knots!

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.

overhead of crock pot beef and barley soup recipe in a bowl.

Beef and Barley Soup Recipe FAQ

Should I cook barley before adding it to soup?

No, not when you’re making it in the slow cooker. If you cook it first, it will absolutely turn into mush over a long, all-day crockpot simmer.. The barley goes into the soup uncooked, then simmers in the broth until it’s perfect. All you need to do first is rinse it.

How do you thicken beef barley soup?

Beef and barley soup will naturally thicken as it sits and simmers. However, if you’re looking to thicken it a little more quickly, you can whip up a simple slurry. To do so, whisk together 3 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water. Add small amounts of that into the soup until it’s thickened to your liking.

What cut of beef is best for soup?

In this Beef Barley Soup I use pre-packaged stew meat, which is usually made of chuck steak. It’s cheap and it’s super tender after simmering in this soup all day. You could also use beef sold as chuck roast or round roast, or even beef short ribs,, but anything well-marbled will work great.

Can you overcook barley in soup?

It is possible to overcook barley if you soak it before putting it in the slow cooker. Start with uncooked barley, rinse it, and let it cook directly in the soup, and you’ll be just fine. 

crock pot beef and barley soup in a bowl shot from overhead.

Other soups you will love:

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup with Italian Sausage and Pesto << classic minestrone with some super delicious extras.

Cheeseburger Soup << Warm. Filling. Actually tastes like a cheeseburger!

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili << another great dinner to throw in the slow cooker!

Easy Cheddar Cauliflower Soup << dreamy, creamy, and cheesy, this soup uses an entire head of cauliflower.

Slow Cooker Enchilada Soup from Weary Chef

Easy Chicken and Dumpling Soup from Melanie Makes

Tortellini Cheddar Cheese Soup from Simply Gloria

Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram 

logo

Beef Barley Soup

4.75 from 48 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 3 hrs
Total: 3 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 8 Servings
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.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds stew meat, nicely marbled beef chunks
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 10 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons beef base, mounded tablespoons good quality*
  • 2 cups celery, 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.

Notes

*I suggest Better than Bullion Beef Base.
The simmer times on this soup are pretty rough. I let mine simmer all morning because I was feeling a lazy-soup-day. The best kind of day for October.
If your meat is not marbled well, you might want to add a bit of worcestershire sauce toward the end, to boost the flavor.
If your soup has boiled down to become more stew-like, simply add more water and beef base.
** I’ve had some questions about the green garnish I used for these photos. It’s basil, but that’s just what was growing in my garden when I made this. No garnish is necessary, but I would recommend parsley or chives if you want a fresh kick.
***UPDATE December 2016: I just made this over Christmas for my family in the crock pot using QUICK barley. I used the same amount. I left it in for maybe 15-30 minutes, but check the package instructions. You could do this on stove top too!

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 574mg | Potassium: 858mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4631IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 4mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 345
Keyword: barley, Beef, soup
Did you make this? I’d love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

Categorized as , , , , ,

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You May Also Like…

Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Excellent soup. I however did not use a slow cooker or crock pot but used my stovetop pressure cookeer, Soup was delicious.

  2. 5 stars
    This soup is unbelievably delicious! I made it yesterday and my daughter and I agree this could be our new favorite! My lunch just confirmed it. I followed the recipe exactly (super easy) and served with a Garlic Sourdough loaf. Thank you SO much!

  3. 5 stars
    Absolutely the most delicious beef barley soup ever!! I use the stove top method and it always comes out perfectly.

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve been making this soup for years and absolutely love it. Thank you so much for sharing such a delicious dish!

  5. 3 stars
    I made it in a slow cooker and I found it just ok. It didn’t have much flavor. The texture was nice so perhaps I would jazz it up a bit next time.

  6. 5 stars
    i think i’ve reviewed this before but i NEVER make any other beef barley soup than this and always on the stovetop. i made this saturday and just finished it today (monday morning). to say i live on this until it is gone would be correct!

  7. 5 stars
    I am allergic to garlic so left that out but otherwise followed the recipe. Delicious, easy and like by everyone in my family. I’ll be making this one again.

  8. 5 stars
    Made this soup tonight and it turned out wonderful.  Will definitely make again.  
    I came across your recipe(s) by accident and now I’m looking forward to making more of them.  

  9. 5 stars
    Very tasty soup! I’ve made it many times in the last couple years (always in a crockpot). Browning the meat is definitely worth the trouble. Thanks for sharing. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.