Crockpot Beef and Barley Soup Recipe
This hearty Crockpot Beef & Barley Soup is a comforting and nourishing meal perfect for any day. Tender beef cubes simmered slowly with fresh vegetables, beef broth, and quick pearl barley create a rich and flavorful soup. Easy to prepare and slow-cooked for hours, this recipe delivers warmth and satisfaction straight from your slow cooker.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Beef and Broth
- 2 pounds beef stew meat (or chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 6 cups beef broth
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
- 2 celery stalks (diced)
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Seasonings and Add-ins
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup quick pearl barley
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Add beef to slow cooker: Place the beef stew meat or chuck roast cubes into your slow cooker, ensuring even distribution for consistent cooking.
- Add vegetables: Stir in the peeled and diced carrots, diced celery stalks, chopped onion, and minced garlic evenly over the beef.
- Pour in liquids and tomato paste: Add the beef broth and tomato paste to the slow cooker and mix gently to combine all ingredients.
- Add seasonings: Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, stirring well so that the flavors start to meld.
- Slow cook the soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours, until the beef is tender and flavors are fully developed.
- Add barley: About 30 to 45 minutes before you plan to serve, stir the quick pearl barley into the soup to cook through and slightly thicken the broth.
- Finish cooking: Cover again and continue cooking until the barley is tender and the soup has thickened, perfect for a hearty consistency.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm with crusty bread on the side for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Adjust salt to taste depending on the sodium content of your beef broth.
- Quick pearl barley cooks faster than traditional barley, making it ideal for slow cooker recipes.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, allow it to cook uncovered for the last 15 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Make sure to cut beef into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking throughout.
Keywords: beef barley soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker recipes, hearty soup, easy beef soup