This Healthy Beef Barley Soup Recipe a delicious, cozy dinner. Made with only a few simple ingredients in either your instant pot, crockpot or stove top.
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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!
Soup is one of my favorite things to eat during the winter months. 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!
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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!
P.S. – If you love crockpot recipes, check out these 45 Healthy Crockpot Recipes!
Things we used for this recipe:
- instant pot or crockpot
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- rosemary
- bay leaves
- beef broth
- pearl barley
- soup crocks
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. I’ve also made this recipe with chuck roast or 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 make this beef barley soup a few ways. My favorite way to do it is in the instant pot because it is quickest, but you can make it in your slow cooker as well!
How to make Healthy Beef Barley Soup in the crockpot/slow cooker:
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 on the stove top
To make healthy beef barley soup the stovetop, follow steps 1-2.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.
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Other healthy soup recipes:
- Healthy Lemon Chicken Soup
- Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup
- Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Healthy Potato Soup
- Healthy Butternut Squash Soup
- 15 Bean Soup
Healthy Beef Barley Soup
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon 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)
Instructions
- 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 remaining pressure.
- Remove bay leaves + parmesan cheese rind. Stir + enjoy!
Joanie
This soup is so yummy. It was chilly last night and I was wanting something easy – this was perfect.
The Clean Eating Couple
So glad you like it, Joanie! It’s one of my favs during the fall/winter!
Leslie J Brunson
Beef Barley is one of my favorite soups..I use 2 beef shanks for the soup. I f tey are small I will add some stew beef..
The Clean Eating Couple
Thanks, Leslie!! Hope you try this recipe – it’s delicious!
Patricia
I love love love your recipes! I get your emails and pretty much make everything you post!! Thank you!!!
The Clean Eating Couple
Thank you so much, Patricia! That makes me so happy to hear!
Marie
The soup was amazing!! Thanks for posting
The Clean Eating Couple
Glad you liked it, Marie! It’s one of our favorites too!