An easy and delicious dump-and-go crock pot beef barley soup recipe with tender stew meat, beef broth, vegetables, and plump barley. Use any size slow cooker, from mini crock pots to full-size.
The perfect cold-weather comfort food even beginners can make.
🥣Ingredients
Beef—well-trimmed chuck roast or stew meat
Barley—either pearl or husked barley, but not quick bar
Aromatics—garlic and onion
Vegetables—celery, carrots, and potatoes
Pantry ingredients—vegetable oil, tomato paste, beef broth, salt, and black pepper
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Featured Comment from Josephine:
"I have made this numerous times since I found the recipe in 2019. It is an all-time favorite for every occasion."
This beef barley soup recipe keeps it simple for beginners with stew meat, simple tomatoey beef broth, a few spices, chopped vegetables, and barley.
It requires no attention; no add this or shred that in the middle—just a few minutes of preparation in the morning for an easy dinner in the evening. But options are provided to make it your own and enhance the flavors.
👨🍳How to Make Beef Barley Soup in a Crock Pot
- Use pre-cut beef stew meat or chuck roast trimmed into 1-inch cubes. Brown if you want in oil to add more flavor.
- While the meat is browning, trim and chop the celery, carrots, and potatoes.
- Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker with some barley and stir well.
- Cook for 8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.
This is a summary of the steps and ingredients. See the recipe card or the step-by-step photo instructions below for complete instructions.
✔️Tips to Make it Right Every Time
- Browning the beef will create a Maillard reaction that does add a lot of flavors, so I spent 5 minutes browning and then added the garlic to bloom for a minute or two near the end of browning.
- If you don't use a non-stick pan, you might need to add a little broth after moving the beef to deglaze the pan.
- Pearl barley is the most common form of barley available. Pearl barley has the outer husk, and bran layers have been removed. Pearl barley is softer but lacks a bit of nutrition. Either pearl or husked barley works here.
- Other vegetables may be added. Try some frozen green beans, corn, or peas added in the last hour of cooking.
- Other flavors can be added with basil, bay leaves, oregano, and dry thyme.
Other crock pot soups you may like
Check out other excellent crock pot soup recipes, like Cheeseburger Soup, French Onion Soup, Chicken Vegetable Soup, and Vegetable Beef Soup. This recipe is featured in Our Best Soups and the Smaller Crock Pot Recipe Roundup.
↕️How to make this a "for two" or "family size" recipe
This is an easy recipe to cut in half or double.
The full recipe makes about 7-8 cups, which I call four large servings, and fits in a 3 to 4-quart crock pot. I make this for our "for two" household to have one round of leftovers.
To Adjust the size of the recipe in the recipe card
- Use the recipe card and adjust the number of servings to half or double.
- Use the amount of ingredients in the ingredient list, not the instructions—those do not adjust.
- The half recipe will fit in a 2-quart mini crock pot; a double recipe requires a 6-quart or larger crock pot.
- Cook for the same amount of time.
How to serve Beef Barley Soup
Serve with a fresh salad and bread of some type, like Cornmeal Biscuits, Old Fashioned Cornbread, or Healthy Biscuits.
How to store leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.
❓Barley FAQs
Use ½ cup of pearl barley. It will seem like that would not be much. It will take up a lot of space, about the maximum you want.
Most recipes add the barley at the beginning of cooking. But if you want firmer barley, add it halfway through cooking.
Yes—a quick rinse under running water before cooking will wash away any dust or debris from the milling process.
You may and can add it at the end, but if the barley is cooked in the soup, it thickens and adds more taste. If you want to cook ahead, boil in water for 20-30 minutes.
Hulled barley has had the outer indigestible husk removed but otherwise is unprocessed—it is considered a whole grain.
Pearl barley has had the bran layer removed also. It is not whole grain and is less nutritious. It will appear shinier since it is polished. This is the most common type of barley.
Instant or quick barley has been partly cooked and then dried. Very much like minute rice. It cooks in 10 to 15 minutes and should not be used in this recipe.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
Note: The pictures are for a "double" recipe. The recipe card and the discussion are a single recipe.
Use a chuck roast or stew meat.
If using chuck roast, trim and cut about 1 pound into bite-size pieces. Store-bought stew meat will be fine, also.
Optional browning: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef to brown for about 5 minutes. Add 1-2 cloves of crushed garlic for the last minute of browning.
Dice 2 ribs of celery, 1 medium potato, 1 ½ carrots, and 1 medium onion. Add to a 3 to 4-quart or larger crock pot.
Add 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and ½ cup uncooked rinsed barley. Finally, add 4-5 cups of low-sodium beef broth.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
📖 Recipe
Crock Pot Beef Barley Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound chuck roast or stew meat - cubed or use stew meat
- 1-2 cloves garlic - crushed or minced
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 rib celery
- 2 carrots - medium
- 1 onion - medium
- 1 potato - medium
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt - to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup uncooked barley - rinsed
- 4-5 cups beef broth - low sodium
Instructions
- Start with about 1 pound of chuck roast. Trim and cut into bite-size pieces. Store-bought stew meat will be fine also.
- Optional browning: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef to brown for about 5 minutes. Add 1-2 cloves of crushed garlic for the last minute of browning.
- Dice 2 ribs of celery, 1 medium potato, 1 ½ carrots, and one medium onion. Add to a 3 ½ quart or larger crock pot.
- Add 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and ½ cup uncooked rinsed barley. Finally, add 4-5 cups beef broth.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
Your Own Private Notes
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- The pictures are double the written instructions.
- You can skip the whole skillet and browning part, add everything to the crock pot, and still have excellent soup.
- The barley was a little heavy. You can decrease by 25% if you want.
- Either pearl or barley with husk may be used.
- Rinse the barley under running water before cooking to remove dust or debris.
- Add a can of diced tomatoes, but use 4 cups of broth.
- A cup of frozen green beans may also be added during the last hour of cooking.
- If you like your barley firmer, add it halfway through cooking and not at the beginning.
- As written, this will fit into a smaller 3 ½ quart crock pot. Use a 6-8 qt crock pot if doubling. A half recipe will work in a 2-quart mini crock pot.
- It is good in the refrigerator for 4 days but will freeze well for 3 months.
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
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Originally Published December 3, 2016. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Jo Ann Thomas
This is the best beef barley soup with veggies. Love it! I love all your recipes especially the ones in crock pot for this time of year. Thank you so much for all the work you put in and sharing these recipes. Just a wonderful site. Tks again. Jo Ann
Josephine Roma
Dr Dan,
I have made this numerous times since I found the recipe in 2019. It is an all-time favorite for every occasion. I made it for an ill family member who wasn't able to cook for herself, and stored it in her freezer in single serve portions; for pot luck work luncheons; family get togethers; and for just the two of us-my husband and me, for dinner and then freeze leftovers for a second meal or lunches. Everyone always wants the recipe, so I just give them the link. Always a 5 star meal. Thanks so much for this website. The https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/crock-pot-ham-bone-bean-soup/ is another family favorite!!!
Katherine A Dietz
Why do you not use flour to dredge the beef? Would you suggest using red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar to clean out pan and help tenderize the beef?
Thanks
Katherine
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Katherine,
You definitely can dredge with flour to get some browning before adding to the crock pot. You can also skip the entire skillet step and just dump and go—it will still come out very nice.
If the pan needs to be degassed, then your suggestions are fine or even just some booth or water will do. The wine and vinegar will change the taste and is more of a personal choice.
Dan
SeafoamJade
This looks amazing, but I have a question: I have all the ingredients on hand except for the stew meat. But, I do have a pound of 90% lean hamburger meat. Can I use that instead of stew meat? Also, could I substitute a 15 oz. can of crushed tomatoes in place of the diced tomatoes? (I can't eat seeds.) If not, would tomato sauce or puree be a good substitute for diced tomatoes? TIA!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Jade,
Welcome to the blog.
About the burger, yes it would work but obviously will be a different soup. Ground meat needs to be browned and drained before adding to a crock pot or you get clumps of meat—unpleasant .
The tomatoes (other than the tomato paste) is optional to change the taste some. So crushed or sauce is fine if you want that option.
Dan
Judy
Back to get my favorite cold weather soup! This soup is always delicious and easy to make!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
👍
Rosetta R Morrisris
The crock pot beef and barley soup was delicious. My husband even liked it. I added some of my frozen tomatoes from my garden. I think some okra would also be good in it. I will be making this recipe again. Had trouble finding barley but now that I have it I will be adding it to other soups. Keep up the good work. Really enjoy your recipes
Anita Chaplick
If you cooked this on a stove top versus a crock pot, how long should you cook it?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Anita,
Welcome to the blog.
Please see the answer I just gave Elisabeth a few minutes ago.
Dan
Elisabeth Wasslen
I don't have a crock pot but it sure sounds delicious to me. I do have a question though. If I cook it on the stove top, how long will it take? Thank you so much.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Elisabeth,
Cook the meat as directed in a large pot (like a Dutch oven), remove from pot, add about 1 tablespoon of oil, and all the veggies, cook until softening (about 10-15 minutes). Add everything back to the large pot, bring to a boil then turn down to simmer and cover. It will probably take about an hour but check at 45 minutes. The meat, barley, and carrots should be tender before stopping. It could take a bit longer. I haven't done stovetop for years and going on memory but this seems right.
Dan
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Cindy,
Welcome to the blog.
Yes, ground beef works fine. Same weight and, of course, it should be pre-browned enough to break it apart and drain well.
Dan
Randy Moisan
Came out delicious. I used baby carrots and added a little more barley came out nice and thick the way I like it.
Kasia
Fabulous. We make this all the time. I was in love with the Beef Barley soup that was a staple in the college cafeteria! I think this might be close, but much better. I am a lover of barley. We add mushrooms sometimes. Love, love, love.
Charlene
Love Love Love this soup - directions were easy to follow and the soup easy to make! Thank you for all the time you put into this blog - I love your recipes!
JoJo Beans
I doubled it because we freeze portions for lunches. I started late, can I cook it on high for an hour then put it on low for 5 or 6?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi JoJo,
Welcome to the blog.
That will work probably. What high does on a crock pot is to get to a near boiling temperature faster than low. So an hour on high might cut as much as 3 hours off the cooking time. Determine the end point by the potatoes and carrots being tender.
Dan
Candice
Prepared as is and it was perfect. Wouldn’t change a single thing. Will definitely be making this a regular dish in our home.
Joy Roma
BEST. SOUP. EVER. Though I did make a few small changes. The price of chuck was ridiculous, so I used top round instead. I also dredged the meat in flour because I like a little thicker soup, and I eliminated the celery since I didn't have any. I also used equal amounts of bold beef broth and regular. The soup was perfect!
DrDan
Hi Joy,
Glad that round work well for you.
Dan
Joy Roma
Can I use Round? Chuck was way too expensive.
DrDan
Hi Joy,
Welcome to the blog.
I would not use round. It is way too lean to be tender here. You will likely end up with chunks of tough beef. Stew meat should work and is usually cheaper here. Or next week chuck roast will be on sale.
Dan
Joy Roma
The round came out perfect. Not tough at all. 😉
Toni
So so good! Everyone loved it! Definitely added to my favorites!
Barbara
If you want rice or pasta I suggest you cook it in the broth ahead of time, drain the extra broth into the pot,coat the pasta or rice with a small amount of oil to stop it from sticking together. Refrigerate until the soup has about 30 minutes left to cook,heat the rice/pasta in the microwave a minute or two and then add to the soup. That way it does not over cook but still has the flavour of the beef soup. Just remember pasta does not freeze well and you might need to thicken it a little more.
DrDan
Hi Barbara,
Welcome to the blog.
Thanks so much for the suggestions, I'm sure they will be useful.
Dan
RossC
The weather is crying out for this soup...
I haven't enjoyed a barley soup in a while... Time to do so...
Rosina Morrone-Reeves
The photo's of your Beef Barley Soup look wonderful. It is in the photo's that I see you are adding the Beef Broth. The Beef Broth ingredient is missing from your written recipe or am i missing it?
DrDan
You're right and fixed. I had it in the discussion/instructions but not in the list.
Chris
This weather has had me in a stew mood lately. We've done it twice in the past week and I could still go for a bowl of yours.
Cheryl Cuddy
Finally I found a PURE Beef Barley recipe. I don't like chuck roast so I will use something like sirloin..
sam brown
This is my all time favorite soup!! So glad to see it without green beans ... many thanks to your wife!
DrDan
My wife laughed and said you're welcome.
Thanks for the note
Dan
Lara
This looks SO good! I think I have all ingredients on hand to make tomorrow. For the non-barley lover, rice would probably work just as well?
DrDan
Perhaps the rice. I would need to test. Something like a long grain wild rice which holds up better. The less processed the better I think for the crock pot. My fear with the rice is that it would just become a big pot of rice with some beef. Also once rice overcooks, it is bad.
I think of rice as not very forgiving since it took me awhile to get it right. Crock pots are quite variable so I try to use forgiving ingredients like beans, meat, carrots etc.... OK I will stop rambling.
DrDan
It is based on the barley with it taking up a lot of the "space." The only thing the comes to mind is green beans or something, but proportions would be off...
I like my vegetable beef soup https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/crock-pot-vegetable-beef-soup/ . The meat and beans take up the "space." You will see the about same amount of meat makes less soup. Maybe add a medium potato and some garlic, and you would almost be there.
It is just soup, so almost anything you do to it will be OK.
Dan
Leslie
I also love simple soups, recipe sounds good and plan to make this week. However, we don't like barley, do you have any suggestions for a substitute? Thank you, leslie (made crock pot candy, loved by everyone!)
Marie
I'm a little late to the party, but any short cut pasta such as ditalini or macaroni would make a nice swap out for the barley.