Healthy Beef Barley Soup

Name: Healthy Beef Barley Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef stew meat ( cut into small pieces); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary; 4 bay leaves; 1 cup onion (finely chopped); 2 cups carrots (sliced in small pieces); 1 cup celery (finely chopped); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 quarts beef broth; 1 cup pearl barley (uncooked); 1 parmesan cheese rind ((optional))

February 2, 2020 |

Last updated on June 29, 2022

Healthy Beef Barley Soup Recipe is a delicious, cozy dinner. Made with only a few ingredients in your instant pot, crockpot or stove top. This easy soup is a healthier version of an old fashioned recipe – truly the best beef barley soup!

Healthy Beef Barley Soup in white bowls with a green linen and gold spoons off to the side.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my policy and more about affiliate links. This post was originally shared in Feb of 2018.

This Healthy Beef Barley Soup recipe is one that you’ll want to make over and over again! Packed with protein, whole grains, and flavor – it’s simple to make and so delicious!

The hearty barley and tender pieces of beef combined with nutrient dense broth and veggies is a match made in heaven! This soup can be made quickly in your instant pot, on the stove, or in your crockpot/slow cooker!

A close up of beef barley soup in a white bowl

Soup is one of my favorite things to eat during the winter months. From Minestrone to Potato Soup – I love ALL kinds. No only is it cozy and delicious, it’s nourishing for your body. When I make soups I load them up with protein, veggies, and the best broth/whole grains I can find!

Healthy Beef Barley Soup is easier to make than you think! You only need a few ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry/fridge! Here’s what you need to make it…

Ingredients for Healthy Beef Barley Soup:

To make this healthy beef barley soup you’ll need:

stew meat (we get ours from ButcherBox check out our ButcherBox prices Review here!)
olive oil
salt, pepper, garlic powder
fresh rosemary
bay leaves
beef broth
pearl barley
veggies
tomato paste
A parmesan cheese rind is optional, but adds flavor!

ingredients for beef barley soup in small bowls on a grey background

You’ll also need an instant pot or crockpot. (Or you can make it on the stove) A food processor will also help you with chopping the onions and celery finely.

How to make Healthy Beef Barley Soup:

You can make this beef barley soup in your instant pot, crock pot, or on your stovetop. There are instructions for all of them below.

Beef barley soup sauteing in an instant pot

beef barley soup before it has been cooked in an instant pot

How to make Healthy Beef Barley Soup on the stove top:

Brown your meat in a pan per the directions in step one, and add in your veggies to sauté.
Once veggies are soft, add in your remaining ingredients and bring the soup to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes until barley is fully cooked.

How to make Healthy Beef Barley Soup in the Crockpot:

To make healthy beef barley soup in the slow cooker/crockpot, brown your meat in a pan per the directions in step one.
Add browned meat and remaining ingredients into the slow cooker.
Stir until combined and cook on low for 4-5 hours.

How to make Healthy Beef Barley Soup in the instant pot:

To make healthy beef barley soup in the instant pot– turn instant pot on sauté setting.
Heat olive oil. Sauté stew meat until slightly brown, approximately 10 minutes.
When meat is browned, add spices, veggies, broth + barley to the pot (all uncooked). Stir to combine. Set pot to sealing, pressure cook for 10 minutes. Allow the pot to natural release for 15 minutes.
After it’s done, quick release the remaining pressure. Remove bay leaves + parmesan cheese rind. Stir + enjoy!

A ladel holding up a scoop beef barley soup

What’s the best beef to use for beef barley soup?

I used beef stew meat in this recipe that I cut up in tiny pieces. (It’s key for it being tender!) I’ve also made this recipe with chuck roast, london broil and steak tips that I cut up.

You don’t need to use a very expensive cut of meat for this soup, because once the meat is cooked it will get super tender and fall apart!

You can also use leftover roast or meat in this soup. Leftover cooked steak, roast, or even cooked ground beef will work in this recipe.

Storing/Reheating this Beef Barley Soup

This beef barley soup will last for 5 days in the refrigerator.

Freezing this soup: You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months. I love Souper Cubes for freezing soup. Code CLEANEATING10 works to save $$!

Defrost the soup by taking it out of the refrigerator 24 hours before serving, or by heating in a microwave. We have a whole post on the best way to freeze soup!

Reheating this soup: You can reheat this soup in the microwave or on the stovetop.

A spoon taking a scoop out of beef barley soup

Substitutions for this healthy beef barley soup:

There are a lot of substitutions for this healthy beef barley soup. Feel free to customize it.

Meat: You can use chicken breasts in this recipe. Add them whole regardless of your method of cooking. Once soup is cooked, shred chicken + return back to the soup.

Oil: You can use avocado oil or coconut oil in this recipe.

Stock/Broth: You can use chicken stock/broth or veggie broth in this recipe and it will work fine.

Vegan/Vegetarian: You can omit meat and use a vegetable broth to make this vegan/vegetarian. I would add double the vegetables.

Fresh Rosemary: If you don’t have fresh rosemary, use 1/2 the amount of dried rosemary.

Low Carb: You can try omitting barley from this soup and instead adding raw cauliflower rice in before serving. I haven’t tried this.

Gluten Free: Barley is not gluten free. If you’d like to make this gluten free it may work with rice or quinoa. I’d reduce your cooking time by 4-5 minutes. I have not tried this so I can’t guarantee if it will work.

An overhead shot of beef barley soup with a gold spoon taking a bite out of it.

Other healthy soup recipes:

We love soup SO much that we actually have a free healthy soup ebook! We also have a post filled with the best Healthy Soup Recipes!

Looking for other healthy crockpot recipes? Check out these Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes!