Go Back

Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

A heartwarming and flavorful soup featuring tender beef, chewy barley, and vibrant vegetables, perfect for chilly evenings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into cubes Optional to brown for extra flavor
  • 1 cup barley
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by chopping your onion, slicing the carrots and celery, and mincing the garlic.
Optional Browning
  1. Brown the beef stew meat in a skillet over medium heat for added depth in flavor.
Combine Ingredients
  1. Place the beef cube, barley, chopped onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, minced garlic, dried thyme, bay leaf, and beef broth into the slow cooker.
Season
  1. Add salt and pepper to taste and stir to combine.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the beef is tender and barley is cooked.
Final Touches
  1. Remove the bay leaf and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve
  1. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with optional garnishes such as fresh parsley or yogurt.

Notes

Replace beef with chicken or lamb as a variation. For a gluten-free option, use quinoa instead of barley. Properly store leftovers in an airtight container.