Beef and Barley Soup

Name: Beef and Barley Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h 15 min
Total time: 8 h 30 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb stewing beef, cut in 1 inch pieces; 3/4 cup pearl barley; 3 carrots, sliced; 2 celery stalks, sliced; 1 large onion, diced; 8 oz mushrooms, sliced; 6 cups beef stock; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper

By Iren Pavlenko · Last updated: 9 Nov 2026

Stewing beef, pearl barley and root vegetables cook in stock for eight hours on LOW with nothing added late.

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Beef and Barley Soup

Recipe by Iren Pavlenko

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hours

minutes

Stewing beef, pearl barley and root vegetables cook in stock for eight hours on LOW with nothing added late.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb stewing beef, cut in 1 inch pieces
3/4 cup pearl barley
3 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 large onion, diced
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
6 cups beef stock
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions

Put the onion, carrots, celery and mushrooms in a cold 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the beef in a single layer.
Scatter the barley over the beef.
Whisk the tomato paste and Worcestershire into the stock.
Pour the stock over everything and add the thyme, salt and pepper.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
Check that the beef is tender and the barley soft.
Add a splash of water if it has thickened too much.
Taste and adjust the salt.
Serve hot.

Notes

Barley keeps absorbing broth, so leftovers need a splash of stock when reheated.

Why beef and barley is such a good pairing

Stewing beef needs hours to turn tender, and pearl barley needs the same long, gentle cook, so both finish together. Barley also thickens the broth as it softens. Whisking tomato paste and Worcestershire into the stock builds a savory base without browning anything first.

Swaps and limits for Beef and Barley Soup

Chuck cut into 1-inch cubes can replace packaged stewing beef. Farro can stand in for barley. Quick-cooking or hulled barley behaves differently, so stick with pearl barley as written. Do not add more barley hoping for a thicker soup, since it keeps absorbing broth.

Beef and Barley Soup leftovers

Barley soaks up liquid as it sits, so the pot turns into a stew by day two. Add a splash of stock when you reheat. It keeps 4 days in the fridge and freezes for up to 3 months. Serve with buttered bread.

The classic mistake is stuffing the pot too full, which leaves the barley under the broth line and uneven.

Beef and Barley Soup at a glance

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients: 12, led by stewing beef, pearl barley, carrots, celery stalks

Tips for Beef and Barley Soup

Barley keeps absorbing broth, so leftovers need a splash of stock when reheated.

Beef and Barley Soup FAQ

How long does Beef and Barley Soup take?

Beef and Barley Soup takes 8 hours 15 minutes of cooking after 15 minutes of prep.

How many people does Beef and Barley Soup serve?

This recipe makes 6 servings.

What do I need to make Beef and Barley Soup?

12 ingredients, led by stewing beef, pearl barley, carrots, celery stalks. Amounts are in the recipe card above.

Iren Pavlenko

Hi, I'm Iren Pavlenko. I read the top-ranked slow cooker recipes for a dish side by side and write down what they disagree on and what they all leave out — the cut, the pot size, and both the LOW and HIGH times. I write these guides so your weeknight dinner doesn't turn into a dry roast because a recipe never said which of those four things mattered.

Part of: 5 Inspiring Crockpot Soup Recipe Ideas · 6 Cheap Crockpot Dinners for a Family