Why make this recipe
Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Soup is a comforting and hearty meal that is perfect for chilly days. This recipe is easy to prepare and requires minimal effort. You can throw the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do all the work while you go about your day. The result is a nutritious soup filled with tender beef, nutritious vegetables, and wholesome barley. It’s not only delicious but also a great way to feed a family or meal prep for the week.
How to make Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef stew meat
- 1 cup barley
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
Directions:
- In a slow cooker, add the beef stew meat, barley, beef broth, carrots, celery, tomatoes, onion, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
- Adjust seasoning if needed and serve hot.
How to serve Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Soup
Serve the soup hot in bowls, and consider garnishing it with fresh herbs like parsley for extra flavor. This soup pairs well with crusty bread or a simple side salad. It is hearty enough to enjoy as a main dish.
How to store Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Soup
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The soup will keep well for about 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Just make sure to let the soup cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.
Tips to make Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Soup
- For more flavor, brown the beef stew meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Feel free to add other vegetables such as peas or green beans for extra nutrition.
- Use low-sodium beef broth if you want to control the salt content in the soup.
Variation
You can easily adapt this recipe by using different grains such as quinoa or farro instead of barley. You can also swap the beef stew meat for shredded chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
FAQs
Can I use frozen vegetables in the soup?
Yes, using frozen vegetables can save time and still provide great flavor.
Can I cook this soup on the stovetop?
Absolutely! Simply simmer it on the stovetop for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender.
What can I do if my soup is too thick?
If your soup turns out too thick, just add a bit more beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Soup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes
- Total Time: 495 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Description
A comforting and hearty soup filled with tender beef, nutritious vegetables, and wholesome barley, perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef stew meat
- 1 cup barley
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, add the beef stew meat, barley, beef broth, carrots, celery, tomatoes, onion, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 480 minutes or high for 240 minutes until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
- Adjust seasoning if needed and serve hot.
Notes
For best flavor, consider browning the beef stew meat before adding it to the slow cooker. Add other vegetables like peas or green beans for extra nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
