Description
A comforting and hearty Beef and Barley Soup packed with tender beef chunks, chewy barley, and a mix of vegetables simmered in a savory broth. Perfect for chilly evenings, this nourishing soup is simple to prepare, flexible to customize, and ideal for meal prep with rich, satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cubed
Grains
- 3/4 cup pearl barley
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids & Seasonings
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the cubed beef chuck and brown it evenly on all sides to develop deep, savory flavors. Once browned, remove the beef and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, unlocking their natural sweetness and aroma.
- Deglaze and Combine Ingredients: Stir in the tomato paste and cook briefly to reduce acidity. Pour in the beef broth while scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits. Return the browned beef to the pot along with pearl barley, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaves.
- Simmer Slowly: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, until the beef is tender and the barley is fully cooked. Stir occasionally and check seasoning as it cooks.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a fresh, herbal finish.
Notes
- Brown the beef well to build richer broth flavor.
- Don’t rush the simmering step, as slow cooking tenderizes the beef and melds flavors.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme and parsley for brightness and complexity.
- Adjust barley cooking time depending on desired texture.
- Season gradually and taste as you go to avoid over-salting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Beef soup, barley soup, hearty soup, comforting dinner, slow simmer soup, winter soup, easy beef recipe, family-friendly soup
