This Hearty Beef and Barley Soup is a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for cold weather. Tender beef, hearty barley, and flavorful vegetables simmered in a savory broth make this soup a complete meal in a bowl.
Author:nadia
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Soup
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
UnitsScale
For the soup:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1pound beef stew meat (cut into small cubes)
1 small onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
3 carrots (peeled and sliced)
2 celery stalks (sliced)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
6cups beef broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
3/4cup pearl barley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Brown the beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and brown on all sides, about 5–7 minutes. Remove the beef and set aside.
Cook the vegetables: In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4–5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
Add remaining ingredients: Return the beef to the pot and season with salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and add the bay leaf. Stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes with juice, and barley.
Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked.
Serve: Remove bay leaf before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
This soup thickens as it sits—add extra broth or water when reheating if needed.