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Beef Barley Soup


  • Author: Jennie Graham
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A hearty and comforting beef barley soup made with tender beef chuck, pearl barley, and fresh vegetables. This wholesome soup is perfect for cold days and delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb beef chuck roast, cubed
  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • 2 cups carrots, diced
  • 2 cups celery, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Sear the beef: Heat pot over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total
  • Add aromatics: Add diced onions, minced garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until vegetables soften, approximately 5 minutes
  • Add dry ingredients: Stir in pearl barley, dried thyme, and bay leaves. Mix well to coat with vegetable mixture
  • Add liquid: Pour in beef broth and bring mixture to a rolling boil over high heat
  • Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 60 minutes until beef is fork-tender and barley is plump
  • Season and serve: Remove bay leaves, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot in bowls

Notes

  • Pat beef cubes completely dry before searing to achieve better browning and deeper flavor development
  • Rinse pearl barley under cold water before adding to remove excess starch and prevent cloudiness
  • Keep pot partially covered during simmering to prevent excessive evaporation while allowing steam to escape
  • Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days – the soup will thicken as barley absorbs more liquid
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 385 calories
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 9g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: beef barley soup, hearty soup, comfort food, beef chuck, pearl barley, winter soup, homemade soup