This Beef and Barley Soup is the perfect dish for chilly days, packed with tender beef, hearty barley, and wholesome vegetables. Slowly simmered to bring out deep, rich flavors, this comforting soup is a meal in itself, perfect for family dinners or batch cooking for the week. With each spoonful, you get a satisfying blend of tender meat, chewy barley, and flavorful vegetables in a savory broth.
Here’s everything you need to know to make this delicious soup from scratch!
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 ½ lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water (or more as needed)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
- 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Ingredients:
- 1 potato, diced (for extra heartiness)
- 1 zucchini, diced (for added nutrition)