Best Ever Beef Barley Soup

Here’s a hearty, rich, and comforting recipe for Best Ever Beef Barley Soup — the kind that tastes like it simmered all day and fills your home with savory goodness. It’s loaded with tender beef, wholesome barley, and plenty of veggies in a deeply flavorful broth.

🥣 Best Ever Beef Barley Soup

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8):

For the Soup:

1½ lbs stewing beef or chuck roast, cut into ½-inch cubes
Salt & pepper
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
2 ribs celery, chopped
8 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
1 tbsp tomato paste
¾ cup pearl barley (rinsed)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
1 bay leaf
Optional: ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce or a splash of red wine
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

🔪 Instructions:

1. Brown the Beef:

Season beef with salt and pepper.
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat.
Brown beef in batches (don’t overcrowd) until well-seared. Set aside.

2. Sauté Veggies:

In the same pot, reduce heat to medium.
Add a bit more oil if needed, then sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened (about 5–7 minutes).
Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook 1 minute.

3. Simmer the Soup:

Return beef to the pot.
Add beef broth, barley, thyme, parsley, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce or wine (if using).
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
Cover and simmer for 60–90 minutes, or until beef is tender and barley is cooked through.

4. Adjust Seasoning & Serve:

Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
Remove bay leaf.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

📝 Tips & Variations:

Slow Cooker Version: Brown the beef and sauté veggies first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low 6–8 hours or high 3–4 hours.
Instant Pot Version: Use the sauté function for browning, then pressure cook on High for 25–30 minutes with natural release.
Vegetable Boost: Add chopped mushrooms, green beans, or peas during the last 15 minutes of simmering.
Thicker Soup: Simmer uncovered the last 15–20 minutes to reduce broth.