Description
There’s nothing more comforting than coming home to the rich, savory aroma of a slow-cooked meal, and this Hearty Crock Pot Beef Barley Soup delivers exactly that feeling. Made with tender chunks of beef, nutty barley, and wholesome vegetables, this cozy soup is a complete meal in a bowl. It’s budget-friendly, deeply satisfying, and designed to simmer away in the slow cooker while you go about your day—perfect for meal prep, busy weeknights, or feeding a hungry family.
Ingredients
-
1 lb beef chuck roast or stew meat, cubed into 1-inch pieces
-
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tbsp cooking oil (vegetable or olive oil)
-
2 celery ribs, sliced
-
2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
-
1 medium onion, diced
-
1 medium potato (Yukon Gold or Russet), cubed
-
3 tbsp tomato paste
-
1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
-
1/2 tsp black pepper
-
1/2 cup pearled barley, uncooked and rinsed
-
4-5 cups low-sodium beef broth
Instructions
-
Prep the Ingredients
Rinse the barley under cold water until the water runs clear. Prepare all vegetables and cube the beef into uniform pieces. -
Sear the Beef
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and sear for 3–4 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Transfer beef to the slow cooker. -
Deglaze the Pan
Add a splash of beef broth to the hot skillet and scrape up any browned bits. Pour this liquid into the slow cooker. -
Assemble the Soup
Add celery, carrots, onion, potato, garlic, barley, tomato paste, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Pour in beef broth until ingredients are fully submerged. -
Slow Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until beef is fork-tender and barley is soft. -
Finish & Adjust
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add extra broth or water if the soup has thickened too much before serving.
Notes
- Searing the beef adds depth of flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
- Barley absorbs liquid as it sits; leftovers may need additional broth.
- This soup freezes well for up to 2 months.
- For extra brightness, add a small splash of vinegar before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1½ cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
