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How to Make Easy Beef Barley Soup

Easy beef barley soup is full of hearty beef, rich broth, barley, and vegetables. A healthy and nutritious meal in one bowl!

Homemade beef barley soup is very easy to make and will warm you up like a big hug!

Homemade Beef Barley Soup in bowl

Super delicious beef barley soup

I don't know about you, but when the weather takes a turn toward the cold and dreary direction, I pull out every recipe in the file book for hearty, hot soups.

I like to have something quick and simple because I don't really like to wait and as every cook knows, simple always tastes good!  This easy beef barley soup is full of juicy bite-sized morsels of cooked roast beef, quick-cooking barley, vegetables, and broth, and can be ready in less than an hour.

beef vegetable soup

Ingredients for beef soup

  • Sirloin Beef Tips, cut into bite-sized pieces (1-inch cubes)
  • Carrots, peeled and sliced
  • Celery, sliced
  • Onion, diced
  • Clove garlic, minced
  • 15oz can diced tomatoes
  • Quick-cooking barley– I use Quaker Brand. It cooks up beautifully!
  • Olive oil
  • Beef stock
  • Beef bullion
  • Water
  • Bay leaf
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Dry thyme (optional)

Related recipes: Butternut Squash Soup, Loaded Baked Potato Soup, Easy Chicken Noodle Soup, Egg Drop Soup, Easy Minestrone Soup, French Onion Soup, Sausage, Kale, and Sweet Potato Soup

Honestly, I love soup any time of year, but I really crave it on blustery days, filled with rain or snow. Putting a pot of soup on the stove fills the house with a “cozy” aroma and makes you want to grab the thick woven throw from the back of the sofa, curl up with a good book, and savor a steaming cup or bowl of goodness.

Beef Barley Soup From Scratch

Make beef barley soup from scratch

I went to my local market, grabbed some sirloin, carrots, celery, and beef broth, and came straight home to put on some soup!

It only took 10 minutes to brown the beef in a heavy-bottom pot or Dutch Oven and another 10 minutes or so to soften up the mirepoix (diced carrots, celery, onion) in a bit of oil and beef drippings, garlic, broth, barley, and tomatoes.

cooking mirepoix for soup

If you wanted to make beef barley soup with mushrooms, green beans, peas, or other vegetables, this would be where you would add them.

I let that cook for 30 minutes or so and dinner was ready!

beef barley soup on spoon

Easy Beef Barley Soup is the perfect way to take the chill away!

Can you freeze beef barley soup?

Yes! This soup freezes really well. If you have any soup leftover, add to an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, defrost soup and heat on stove or in the microwave.

What to serve with quick and easy beef barley soup

Because this soup is so hearty, I like to simply serve it with a small side green salad or roll.

Other beef recipes: Coffee Rubbed Roast Beef, Sirloin Steak Pasta Salad, London Broil Salad, Surf & Turf Appetizers, Homemade Sloppy Joes, Perfect Porterhouse Steak, Best Steak Tacos

And give these Philly Cheesesteak Sliders a try- they look so delicious!

Homemade Beef Barley Soup

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DID YOU MAKE THIS? PLEASE RATE THIS RECIPE BELOW!

Yield: 8

Easy Beef Barley Soup

beef vegetable soup

Easy beef barley soup is full of tender beef, vegetables, and barley cooked in a rich beef broth for a meal that warms your soul on cold winter days.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4-5 Sirloin Beef Tips, cut in bite sized pieces (1-inch cubes)
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 15oz can diced tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup quick cooking barley
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 32 oz beef stock
  • 1 cube beef bullion
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp. dry thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add oil to 5qt dutch oven or pot and heat over medium high heat.
  2. Add cubed beef in single layer and brown on all sides; work in batches if need be.
  3. Remove cooked beef to a bowl and set aside.
  4. In same pan, add onion, carrot & celery and cook until onions are soft and translucent; about 5 minutes.
  5. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
  6. Add tomatoes (and can juices), beef stock, water, bullion, and spices. Add reserved bowl of cooked beef and any drippings from bowl.
  7. Add barley and bring to a boil.
  8. Turn down to simmer and cover with lid.
  9. Cook 20 minutes.
  10. Serve with a sandwich, salad or artisan roll.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 136Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 365mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 9g

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Original Post: 1/12/18

Updated Post 10/30/20

Easy Beef Barley Soup

Susan D.

Thursday 31st of January 2019

I made this last night and it was delicious! Also really easy! It was even better the next day! Thank you for sharing!

Kelly Pugliano

Friday 1st of February 2019

So glad you enjoyed it! :)

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