Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Overhead view of beef and barley soup in a white bowl.

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

This Crockpot Beef and Barley Soup is an easy, hands-off meal that's perfect for busy days. Just toss all the ingredients into your slow cooker, and let it work its magic. The result is a hearty, comforting soup with tender beef, flavorful broth, and perfectly cooked barley.

Course Main Dish - Beef

Cuisine American - Vintage

Prep Time 10

Total Time 8 10

Servings

Calories 306kcal

Author Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil optional, for browning beef
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 carrots sliced or diced
2 celery ribs sliced
2 pounds stew meat cut into small pieces
8 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
28 ounces diced tomatoes with juices - don't drain
¾ cup pearled barley
1 ounce onion soup mix
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

If you have time, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then brown it on all sides. This step adds flavor but can be skipped if you’re in a rush.
Place the beef, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juices), barley, onion soup mix into the crockpot. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and the barley is fully cooked. I recommend cooking on low.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Add a bit of extra broth if the soup has thickened.
To freeze: Let the soup cool completely before portioning it into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove.

Tips:

Browning the beef before adding it to the crockpot will enhance the flavor.
You can use ground beef if you prefer - cook before adding to slow cooker.
If the soup is too thick, simply add more beef broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Nutrition