Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

There’s nothing quite like coming home to a pot of homemade soup that’s been simmering away in the slow cooker all day.

This slow cooker beef and barley soup is hearty, comforting, and filled with tender chunks of beef, pearl barley, carrots, celery, and onions in a rich, savory broth.

It’s an old-fashioned soup recipe that makes a satisfying meal on a chilly evening.

The barley gives the soup a wonderful texture, while the slow cooking makes the beef tender and allows all the flavors to come together.

The best part is that it’s easy to prepare in the morning and have ready for dinner. Serve it with warm bread or homemade biscuits for a cozy meal the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then brown it in batches. You don’t need to cook it all the way through; just brown the outside for extra flavor.

Transfer the browned beef to your slow cooker.

Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.

In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and parsley. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker.

Add the bay leaf and stir everything together.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or until the beef is beginning to become tender.

Stir in the rinsed pearl barley. Cover and continue cooking on low for another 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the barley is tender and the beef is very tender.

Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Tips for Making Beef and Barley Soup

Brown the beef first. You can skip this step if you’re short on time, but browning the beef in a skillet adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the soup.

Use pearl barley. Pearl barley works especially well in this recipe because it cooks more quickly than whole-grain hulled barley. Cooking times can vary, so check the package directions.

Add more broth if needed. Barley absorbs quite a bit of liquid as it cooks. If the soup gets thicker than you’d like, stir in a little extra beef broth before serving.

Make it your own. Mushrooms, potatoes, or additional vegetables are all delicious additions to beef and barley soup.

Can You Freeze Beef and Barley Soup?

Yes! Beef and barley soup can be frozen in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Keep in mind that barley continues to absorb liquid as the soup sits, so the soup may be thicker after thawing. Add a little beef broth or water when reheating to bring it back to your preferred consistency.

For best results, let the soup cool before transferring it to containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop until hot.

What to Serve with Beef and Barley Soup

This is a hearty soup that makes a complete meal, but it’s especially good served with:

• Homemade dinner rolls
• Crusty French bread
• Buttermilk biscuits
• Garlic bread
• A simple green salad

More Cozy Soup Recipes to Try

If you love easy slow cooker soups, here are a few more recipes from Creative Homemaking to add to your dinner rotation.

• Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew – A classic comfort food dinner with tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and a savory broth.
• Easy Crockpot Chicken Stew – A hearty chicken and vegetable dinner that’s perfect for chilly evenings.
• Homemade Clam Chowder in the Slow Cooker – A creamy chowder with potatoes, clams, and smoky bacon.
• 12 Easy Crock Pot Soups for Busy Weeknights – Find even more easy slow cooker soup ideas, including lasagna soup, broccoli cheddar soup, and ham and potato soup.
• 10 Crock Pot Soups for Busy Weeknight Meals – Browse another collection of easy crock pot soup recipes.

An Easy Slow Cooker Dinner for Cold Nights

This slow cooker beef and barley soup is the kind of old-fashioned comfort food that’s perfect for fall and winter.

With tender beef, hearty barley, and plenty of vegetables, it’s filling enough to serve as a complete meal.

Add it to your collection of easy crock pot soup recipes for those busy days when you want a warm, homemade dinner waiting for you at the end of the day!

Follow my cozy soup recipes board on Pinterest.