1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Beef Barley Soup

Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

Featured in Comforting Soups & Stews.

Threw this beef and barley soup in the slow cooker before work and came home to heaven! The meat gets so tender it melts in your mouth. Love how the pearl barley soaks up all the rich broth flavors. Made a huge batch and froze portions for busy nights. Even better the next day after flavors meld. My husband says its better than his moms but dont tell her! Perfect for cold nights when you want something cozy. Added extra carrots cause the kids love them. So easy but tastes like you worked all day.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Mina cooking in her kitchen
Updated on Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:54:59 GMT
A close-up of a bowl of hearty beef soup with vegetables and barley, garnished with fresh parsley. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of hearty beef soup with vegetables and barley, garnished with fresh parsley. | lastminrecipes.com

Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

This slow cooker beef barley soup is pure comfort in a bowl. The beef gets incredibly tender as it simmers with fresh vegetables and chewy barley in a rich savory broth. I love how the slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into something that tastes like it's been simmering on grandma's stove all day.

Why This Soup Makes Everyone Happy

What I love about this slow cooker beef barley soup is how it practically makes itself. The combination of smoked paprika thyme and perfectly seasoned broth creates layers of flavor while your slow cooker does all the work. It's perfect for those days when you want something hearty and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You'll Need

  • Beef: Nice chunks of stewing beef they get so tender.
  • Vegetables: Colorful carrots celery onions and peppers.
  • Barley: Pearl barley gives that perfect chewy texture.
  • Seasonings: My special blend makes everything taste amazing.
  • Broth: Rich beef broth forms our flavorful base.
  • Tomato Paste: Makes the broth silky and rich.
  • Olive Oil: For getting that perfect sear.
  • Parsley: Fresh herbs brighten everything up.

Let's Make Some Soup

Start With The Beef
Get those beef cubes nice and brown it adds so much flavor.
Get Your Veggies Going
Cook those vegetables until they're soft and fragrant.
Fill Your Slow Cooker
Everything goes in with all those amazing seasonings.
Let It Cook
Give it time to work its magic until the beef is tender.
Add Your Barley
Put it in near the end so it stays perfectly chewy.
Final Touch
Fresh parsley makes everything pop.

My Soup Secrets

Don't skip browning your beef it makes such a difference in flavor. Wait to add that barley until the end or it might get too soft. Feel free to toss in extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms. Always taste and adjust your seasoning at the end.

A hearty beef soup with barley, carrots, and celery, garnished with chopped parsley, served in a black bowl. Pin it
A hearty beef soup with barley, carrots, and celery, garnished with chopped parsley, served in a black bowl. | lastminrecipes.com

Save Some For Later

This soup keeps beautifully in the fridge for several days and freezes perfectly for up to three months. When you reheat it just add a splash of broth if needed to thin it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why sear the beef first?

While optional, searing adds deeper flavor and better texture to the meat.

Beef Barley Soup

A rich and hearty soup combining tender beef, vegetables and pearl barley slow-cooked in a savory broth.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
480 Minutes
Total Time
500 Minutes
By: Mina

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 pot)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 2½ pounds stewing beef, cubed.
02 3 tablespoons olive oil.
03 4 cloves garlic, minced.
04 2 large yellow onions, diced.
05 1 large bell pepper, chopped.
06 1¼ cups carrots, sliced.
07 1 cup celery, chopped.
08 4 tablespoons tomato paste.
09 5 cups beef broth.
10 1 cup pearl barley.
11 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
12 1½ teaspoons dried thyme.
13 2 teaspoons garlic powder.
14 2 teaspoons onion powder.
15 1½ teaspoons black pepper.
16 2 teaspoons seasoning salt.
17 3 tablespoons fresh parsley.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oil, sear beef in batches.

Step 02

Transfer beef to slow cooker.

Step 03

Sauté onions, pepper, carrots, celery.

Step 04

Add garlic and tomato paste, cook 2 minutes.

Step 05

Add vegetables to slow cooker.

Step 06

Add broth and all seasonings.

Step 07

Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.

Step 08

Add barley in last hour.

Step 09

Stir in parsley before serving.

Notes

  1. Searing beef optional but recommended.
  2. Add barley last hour to prevent mushiness.
  3. Can use different root vegetables.
  4. Keeps 3-4 days refrigerated.

Tools You'll Need

  • Slow cooker.
  • Large skillet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Wheat (barley).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 420
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 38 g