Beef Barley Soup Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Beef Barley Soup Recipe with Vegetables– Loaded with vegetables, chunks of tender beef, and herbs. Thissimple souprecipe is easy to make and so inviting!

Beef Barley Soup Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (1)

Barley Soup For Chilly Nights

What’s for dinner tonight? How aboutVegetable Beef Barley Soupsimmering on the stovetop!

There are nights only a big steaming pot of soup will do.

Cool nights. Nights darkened by early sunsets. Nights you want to sit by the fire with a cup of soup in hand, and a loved one by your side.

Our Beef Barley Soup Recipe is just the sort of soup to serve on brisk evenings.

It’s hearty, rich, and packed with chunky goodness. Made with fresh ingredients, this is a healthy meal you can feel great about feeding your family.

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Beef Soup Love

My kids are always thrilled to come home to a pot of beef barley soup sitting on the stove, with slices ofZucchini Parmesan Breadand aClassic Wedge Saladon the side.

This soup recipe makes a large pot that can feed 8-12 people. It’s a great comfort food meal for casual gatherings and also makes wonderful leftovers…. The kind that doesn’t stay leftover for long.

Give it a go! Vegetable Beef Barley Soup might just become a new family staple. It’s cozy, delicious, and easy to make.

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Vegetable Beef Barley Soup Ingredients

Ingredients

  • Olive Oilto saute the veggies
  • Beef Chuck Roastcut into chunks
  • Sweet Onionpeeled and chopped
  • Sliced Carrotsto add a touch of sweetness
  • Sliced Celeryto round out the overall flavor
  • Garlic Clovesfresh is always best
  • Beef Broth – you could buy low sodium or a salt-free option
  • Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoesthe kind with the little bits of char on the tomato chunks
  • Dried Barleysometimes call pearl barley
  • Fresh Thyme Leavesor dried
  • Fresh Chopped Rosemary Leavesor dried
  • Crushed Red Pepperoptional to add a little kick you can add a whole teaspoon for a more spice
  • Salt and Pepperas needed
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How to Make Beef and Barley Soup

Step by Step

  1. Saute the onions and tablespoon olive oil in a saucepot (or dutch oven) at medium-high heat for a couple of minutes. Then stir in the carrots, celery, and garlic, and cook for a few more minutes.
  2. While the veggies are cooking, cut the beef into cubes. Then push all the vegetables to the side of the pot and add the beef chunks to the center of the pot. Brown the meat for about five minutes.
  3. Once the beef is browned, add in the broth, tomatoes, and all the seasonings. Stir it all together.
  4. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. If you need to, you can lower the heat to simmer. Once covered, let this soup simmer until the barley and beef are tender. Make sure to stir occasionally, but let simmer for about 30 minutes.
  5. Salt and pepper to taste and serve warm!

Get The Full (Printable) Recipe Below For How To Make Beef Barley Soup with Vegetables!

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Tips & Tricks

  • If the beef is still tough after cooking, let it cook a little bit longer! It will get tender when cooked for extra time.
  • You can use quick-cooking barley here, just make sure that the beef is tender before adding the barley since quick-cooking barley will take around just 12 minutes to cook!
  • Keep your veggies a little bit bigger when you are chopping them since they are going to be simmering for a good amount of time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a way to lessen the sodium in this recipe?

Yes, you can purchase low-sodium broth or sodium-free broth. If you are sensitive to sodium check the cartons of each brand of broth to select the lowest option.

Can Beef Barley Soup be prepared in a crockpot?

Yes, just make sure to sauté the veggies and brown the beef over the stovetop first. Then mix the ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 7-9 hours.

How long will this last? Does this soup make a good leftover?

Vegetable Barley Beef Soup makes a wonderful leftover! This recipe can be stored in the fridge for4 to 6 daysin an airtight container. This soup also freezes well, so you can store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. The night before you want to reheat it, place it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. (Make sure to mark the date that you put it in the freezer for so you know how long it is in there!)

Can I Use Dried Herbs?

I suggest that you use fresh herbs for a more robust flavor, however, you can use dried herbs as well if that is all you have on hand. Generally, use 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for 1 tablespoon of fresh.

What To Serve With This Stew?

This beef and barley soup recipe would be great served on top of brown rice or any kind of grain of your choice. The tender chunks of beef paired with the rice make for a great satisfying meal.It would also go great with any of these favorites: crusty garlic bread,salad, biscuits, grilled cheese, or cheddar bay biscuits!

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Other Warm Recipes To Try:

  • Light Creamy Chicken Barley Kale Soup Recipe
  • The Best Beef Stew Recipe
  • Beef and Lentil Stew Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef) Recipe
  • Philly Cheese Steak Soup Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Check the printable recipe below for the nutrition information including protein, cholesterol, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat (aka monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and trans fat).

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Print Recipe

4.89 stars (18 reviews)

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Beef Barley Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Perfect Vegetable Beef Barley Soup Recipe, loaded with vegetables, chunks of tender beef, and herbs. This simple soup recipe is easy to make and so inviting!

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Place a large saucepot over medium heat and add the olive oil and onions. Saute the onions for 2-3 minutes. Then stir in the carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook for another 3-5 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, cut the beef into small 1/2-inch chunks. Push the veggies to the side of the pot and add the meat. Brown for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice. Then add in the broth, tomatoes, barley, herbs, crushed red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir well.

  • Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat if needed and simmer until the barley is cooked and the beef is tender, stirring occasionally. About 30 minutes.

  • Taste. Then season with salt and pepper as needed.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 373kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 78mg, Sodium: 1563mg, Potassium: 903mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 5775IU, Vitamin C: 7.7mg, Calcium: 103mg, Iron: 4.6mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

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Beef Barley Soup Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

Why does my beef barley soup have no flavor? ›

That's because the beef needs time to cook, and if we boil the vegetables for the same amount of time, they'll become flavorless wads of mush. Don't worry: We'll add them back to the pot long enough to tenderize them and get more of their flavor into the broth.

How can I thicken my beef barley soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Should barley be soaked before adding to soup? ›

Pearl barley does not need to be soaked prior to cooking because it cooks quickly. Hulled barley benefits from soaking in water for a few hours before cooking. However, you should still budget more time for the hulled grain to cook (about 35 to 40 minutes).

What if I put too much barley in my soup? ›

As barley is a starch the best you can do is dilute it, or thin it out a bit. You may need to add a fair bit of broth and more of your vegetal ingredients. Possibly to the point of doubling your recipe. It will depend on when you find the taste and texture to have gotten back to acceptable levels.

How do you spice up bland soup? ›

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

How to add more flavor to beef soup? ›

Bay leaves are great for adding flavor (but not to eat), and fresh parsley is always delicious. Add some black pepper and other fresh herbs to really enhance the wonderful taste. (garlic powder is great with the tender beef!)

How do you fix bland barley soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

How do you fix bland beef soup? ›

The best way to ensure a flavorful soup is to brown the beef and onions in the beginning. If the soup tastes bland at the end of cooking, add more spices and herbs. After adding, allow the soup to cook a little longer so the flavors to meld together.

How to spice up bland beef stew? ›

There are flavors in tomatoes that are alcohol-soluble, so adding red wine along with tomato paste also helps to enhance beef stew." Laurence has a few other tricks I've borrowed to create the best beef stew, including adding Worcestershire, which gets a serious umami punch from anchovies.

What happens if you don't rinse barley before cooking? ›

There is no need to rinse barley before using it. To enhance the flavor of barley, heat the kernels in a skillet for a few minutes or cook it in broth instead of water. You can save time by cooking extra barley and freezing it. Add it to soups or salads as you need it.

Do you cook barley covered or uncovered? ›

Stovetop. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a pot with salt. Add barley, return to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-high and boil uncovered until soft, 25–30 minutes. Drain off cooking water, then serve.

Is barley healthier than rice? ›

Farro and barley, being whole grains, contain more fiber and health benefits than white pasta or white rice. Barley and farro are similar in that they are high in fiber and also contain protein. Fiber content allows barley and farro to play a role in lowering cholesterol and strengthening the immune system.

What to avoid when taking barley? ›

Therefore, if you have IBS or a sensitive digestive tract, you may want to avoid barley. Lastly, since barley has a strong effect on blood sugar levels, you may want to exercise caution while eating it if you have diabetes and are taking any blood-sugar-lowering medications or insulin ( 29 ).

What are the side effects of too much barley? ›

However, if you consume too much of it, its fiber content can cause stomach cramps, constipation, bloating, and gas. Unwanted weight gain. Barley water is high in calories per serving. You can further increase the calorie count if you add fruit juices or sweeteners like honey to your barley water mix.

Is barley soup anti inflammatory? ›

Research shows that barley helps to regulate blood pressure, boost immunity and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

Why is my soup lacking flavor? ›

Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients. Some freshly cracked pepper helps, too!

Why does my soup have no flavor? ›

If your broth tastes thin and bland, you may want to cook and let it evaporate for longer. That helps concentrate its flavors and gives you a better-tasting soup broth. Be sure to remove the lid to let the steam escape.

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