Beef and Barley Soup (Print Version)

A warming bowl filled with tender beef, wholesome barley, and colorful vegetables in a flavorful beef broth.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Grains

02 - 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 1 large onion, chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 cup potatoes, peeled and diced
08 - 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
09 - 1 cup frozen peas
10 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

→ Liquids

11 - 8 cups beef broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

12 - 2 bay leaves
13 - 1 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1 tsp dried parsley
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
16 - 2 tbsp olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
04 - Return the beef to the pot. Stir in the potatoes, barley, diced tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, and parsley.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add peas, season with salt and pepper, and simmer uncovered for an additional 20-30 minutes, until the barley and beef are tender.
07 - Remove bay leaves. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The pearl barley thickens the broth naturally, giving you that velvety, comforting texture that makes soup feel like a hug.
  • Everything simmers in one pot, and the flavors get deeper and richer the longer it cooks, so patience pays off beautifully.
02 -
  • The soup will thicken considerably as it sits, especially overnight, so thin it with a splash of broth or water when reheating.
  • Barley absorbs liquid like a sponge, so if you plan to make this ahead, add an extra cup of broth to account for the expansion.
03 -
  • Pat the beef dry with paper towels before browning, moisture is the enemy of a good sear.
  • Let the pot come back to a simmer quickly after adding each ingredient to maintain consistent cooking temperature.
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