Description
Enjoy a comforting and nourishing bowl of Hearty Beef Barley Soup, featuring tender slow-cooked beef, chewy pearl barley, fresh vegetables, and fragrant herbs. This classic, filling soup is perfect for cozy days and easy to customize to your taste or dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into bite-sized cubes
Grains
- 3/4 cup pearl barley
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids & Sauces
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (e.g., vegetable or olive oil)
Herbs & Spices
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare and Brown the Beef: Cut the beef chuck into bite-sized cubes. Heat cooking oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches to develop caramelized flavors, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Build the Soup Base: Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly to deepen flavor. Pour in the beef broth and deglaze the pot by scraping up browned bits from the bottom to add extra savory depth.
- Add Barley, Beef, and Herbs: Return the browned beef to the pot. Add pearl barley, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, until beef is tender and barley is cooked.
- Final Seasoning and Fresh Herbs: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in fresh chopped parsley just before serving for brightness and freshness.
Notes
- Brown the beef well to add depth and richness to the soup.
- Simmer slowly and uncovered to develop flavors and tenderize beef.
- Use high-quality beef broth or homemade stock for best taste.
- Soaking barley for an hour beforehand reduces cooking time and improves texture.
- Adjust seasoning at the end since flavors intensify during cooking.
- Keep the pot slightly covered during simmering to retain moisture and ensure even cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: beef barley soup, hearty soup, comfort food, slow simmer, one pot meal