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Crockpot Beef Barley Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 130 reviews

This hearty Crockpot Beef Barley Soup is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked meal perfect for chilly days. Featuring tender chunks of beef, chewy barley, and a medley of vegetables, it’s an easy-to-make soup that simmers low and slow to develop rich, deep flavors. Ideal for using tougher, affordable cuts of meat like chuck roast, this recipe promises delicious results whether you brown the beef beforehand or skip that step for convenience.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds beef chuck roast or beef shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil (for browning beef, optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef (Optional): Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes in batches and sear until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes per batch. This step adds deeper flavor but can be skipped for faster prep.
  2. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Transfer the beef to the slow cooker. Add pearl barley, carrots, celery, onion, potatoes (if using), garlic, beef broth, water, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
  3. Cook the Soup: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. The slow cooking will tenderize the beef and soften the barley and vegetables perfectly.
  4. Finish and Serve: Remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme stems. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, enjoying the tender beef and hearty grains.

Notes

  • The recipe uses tougher cuts of beef such as chuck roast or shoulder which become tender with slow cooking.
  • Browning the beef before slow cooking is recommended for richer flavor but optional.
  • Feel free to omit potatoes or substitute vegetables like mushrooms based on your preference.
  • You can substitute ground beef fully browned and drained for the cubed beef if preferred.
  • Barley provides a chewy texture and nutty flavor that complements the beef and vegetables well.
  • To adapt this recipe for stovetop cooking, simmer all ingredients in a large pot for 2-3 hours until meat is tender and barley is cooked.

Keywords: beef barley soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker soup, hearty beef soup, barley soup, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://topreci.com/crockpot-beef-barley-soup-recipe/