Oh, you guys, there’s just something about a big bowl of comfort food, right? Especially when the weather’s a bit blah and you need a hug in a mug – or, you know, a bowl! And let me tell you, my recipe for **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup** is just that: a big, warm hug. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel all cozy and content, and the best part? This version is super easy, perfect for a busy weeknight. I’ve been cooking (and eating!) this one for years, so trust me, you’re in for a treat.

I learned this recipe from my mom, and it’s been a family favorite ever since. We make a huge pot of **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup** whenever there is a family gathering. It reminds me of the good old days when my mother used to prepare it. You are going to love it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Hearty Beef & Barley Soup

Okay, friends, let me tell you why this **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup** is going to become a staple in your kitchen! It’s seriously the best, and here’s why:

Quick & Easy: Seriously, you can whip this up on a weeknight. Prep time is a breeze!
Simple Ingredients: Nothing fancy here. You probably have most of what you need already.
Flavor Bomb: The beef, barley, and veggies simmer together into pure deliciousness.
Totally Filling: This soup is hearty! It’ll keep you full and satisfied for hours.
Cold Weather MVP: Perfect for those chilly days when you crave something warm and comforting.
Kid-Friendly & Adaptable: My kids gobble it up! Plus, you can easily tweak it to your liking.

Trust me. You’re going to love it!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Your Hearty Beef & Barley Soup

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You won’t believe how simple it is to get all the yummy flavors of this **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup** going. Don’t worry; you probably already have at least half of these in your pantry and fridge! Here’s what you’ll need to make this magic happen:

1 tablespoon of good olive oil. I love the flavor it lends to the soup.
1 pound of beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces.
1 medium onion, chopped. Doesn’t have to be perfect, just roughly chopped will do!
2 carrots, chopped. Gives that lovely sweetness and color.
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced. Fresh garlic is best, trust me.
8 cups of your favorite beef broth. I love a good quality broth for a rich flavor!
1 cup of pearl barley. This is the star of the show.
1 teaspoon dried thyme.
½ teaspoon dried rosemary.
Salt and pepper, to taste, of course! Season as you go.
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish. Because every soup deserves a little pretty touch!

Easy peasy, right? Let’s get cooking!

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Hearty Beef & Barley Soup

Okay, friends, let’s get down to the fun part: making this absolutely scrumptious **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup**! Don’t you worry, it’s easier than you think. I’ve broken it down into simple steps so even the newest cooks can nail it. So, grab your apron and let’s get started!

Get Your Pot Ready: First, grab a big pot or a Dutch oven – you want something with some space. Heat up that olive oil over medium-high heat. Careful now, it splatters, so don’t crowd the pot too much!
Brown that Beef (in Batches!): Now, the beef! Toss in those 1-inch pieces of beef stew meat. Brown them in batches. Don’t overcrowd the pot, or your beef will steam instead of browning, and we want yummy browned bits to add all that flavor! Cook for a few minutes on each side until they get that gorgeous color. Then, fish them out of the pot and set them aside for a sec.
Veggie Time! Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook them for about 5 minutes, until they start to soften. Stir them around; it’ll make your kitchen smell amazing!
Garlic Power! Stir in that minced garlic, and cook for just a minute or so – until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to burn it; it can go from fragrant to burnt really fast!
Beef’s Back! Now, return the browned beef to the pot. Mmm, the aroma already!
Broth, Barley, and Herbs: Pour in your beef broth (I told you a good broth matters!). Then, toss in that pearl barley, the thyme, and the rosemary. Give it all a good stir. Now, season it all with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer Time! Bring the whole shebang to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer away for about 1.5 to 2 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the beef is tender and the barley is nice and cooked—not crunchy.
Garnish and Get Ready to Devour! Before you serve, sprinkle that beautiful fresh parsley on top. It makes it all look so pretty, and the parsley adds a little freshness.

And that’s it! Wasn’t that easy-peasy? A warm, delicious bowl of **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup**, ready for you to enjoy. Serve it with a crusty bread. You’ll love it, I promise!

Tips for Success: Perfecting Your Hearty Beef & Barley Soup

Want to make sure your **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup** is extra amazing? Here are a couple of little secrets I’ve learned over the years to take it from good to, well, *spectacular*!

First, don’t rush the browning of the beef! I know, it’s tempting to just toss it all in and be done, but trust me. Taking the time to brown it in batches, over medium-high heat, gives it that incredible depth of flavor. Next, keep an eye on the simmering time. You’ll want your beef super tender, so give it the full 2 hours, or even a little longer, if you need to!

And finally, season it as you go! Taste, taste, taste! This is super important because you want the soup to be just right for you. Play with the salt and pepper, maybe add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little kick. Go with your gut, and enjoy the process!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Okay, let’s talk about some of the stars of this **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup** and how you can maybe – just *maybe* – tweak things to your liking! Because we all have our preferences, right?

First up, the beef! I always grab beef stew meat; it’s perfect for this. It gets tender and falls apart beautifully after that long simmer. You could also use chuck roast, cut into chunks. But you really want that cut of beef that’s made for slow cooking. As for the barley, use pearl barley! It cooks the quickest out of all the types. You could swap the thyme and rosemary for other dried herbs, such as oregano, or even a bay leaf if you have one on hand.

Easy peasy!

Variations on the Classic Hearty Beef & Barley Soup

Okay, friends, let’s get creative! The best part about this **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup** is how easily you can make it your own little masterpiece. Wanna spice things up, add some different veggies, or make it vegetarian? No problem!

For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Or, swap out the thyme and rosemary for different herbs like oregano or marjoram. If you love veggies, feel free to toss in some potatoes or mushrooms during the last hour of simmering. You can also totally make this vegetarian. Just swap the beef for some hearty chunks of sweet potato and use vegetable broth instead. Yum!

Serving Suggestions to Complement Your Hearty Beef & Barley Soup

So, you’ve got your big, steaming bowl of **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup** – YUM! But what do you serve with it? Well, let me tell you my go-to pairings! Honestly, a crusty loaf of bread is an absolute MUST for dipping – gotta soak up all that delicious broth! A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is also amazing, or a grilled cheese sandwich is always a winner. You really can’t go wrong, though, seriously!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Hearty Beef & Barley Soup

So, you’ve made a delicious batch of **Hearty Beef & Barley Soup**! But what do you do with those glorious leftovers? No worries, friends, I’ve got you covered. This soup is actually even *better* the next day, once all those flavors have had a chance to mingle!

To store your soup, let it cool completely first, then pop it in an airtight container and into the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 3-4 days. If you’re planning on keeping it longer, you can totally freeze it! Just make sure it’s cooled down before you freeze it. Place it in a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag (remove as much air as possible!). It’ll be a happy little soup-sicle for up to 2-3 months.

When you’re ready to eat your soup, you can reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, or in the microwave. If it’s frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Make sure it’s heated through, and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Okay, food friends, listen up! The nutritional info below is just an estimate, and it will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use and the brands, so please keep that in mind.

Hearty Beef & Barley Soup

Author: iyma hernandes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 min
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Halal

Print Recipe

Description

A filling soup with beef, barley, and vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups beef broth
1 cup pearl barley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Brown the beef in batches, then remove and set aside.
Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Return the beef to the pot.
Pour in beef broth, add barley, thyme, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

You can add other vegetables like potatoes or mushrooms.
For a thicker soup, mash some of the barley.

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 350
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 8g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: beef barley soup, hearty soup, beef stew, barley soup recipe

5 Ways to Make Hearty Beef & Barley Soup Great