Home
Introduction
Basics
Clear Soups
Cream Soups
Starchy Soups
Chilled Soups
Complete List
Soup and Health
Equipment
Contact
The Soup Blog
Reader's Recipes
Submit Recipe

XML RSS
What is this?
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Add to Google

Beef Barley Soup Recipe

This beef barley soup recipe can be made easily from leftover roast beef. Or, you can brown some ground beef, or slice up some chuck steak. Whatever the source of beef, this recipe is super easy!



Ingredients

A splash of olive oil
A pat of butter (optional)
1 large carrot, chopped
1 large celery stalk, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
2 to 3 cups of chopped, cooked beef, or similar amount of cooked ground beef
A splash of Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Basil, oregano, garlic powder to taste
8 cups beef stock or broth
1 large can of diced tomatoes, including liquid
3/4 to 1 cup dried pearl barley (more barley will make the broth thicker).

Preparation

1. Heat the olive oil and butter in soup pot on medium low heat.
2. Add carrot, onion and celery. Add a dash of salt. Cook until vegetables are soft.
3. Add beef, basil, oregano and garlic powder. Continue to cook for a few more minutes.
4. Add a splash of worcestershire sauce.
5. Add remaining ingredients, bring soup to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and cover. Cook for at least an hour to allow the barley to expand and become soft.

Notes

This beef barley soup recipe is so hearty because the barley adds starch to the broth, slightly thickening it. Also, the beef broth and tomatoes have such bold tastes that it fills the mouth with flavor while it fills the tummy with warmth!

Here are some ideas to vary the recipe a bit, to make your own beef barley soup recipe.

-Try different herbs and spices. Sage, marjoram, savory and parsley are all good options.

-Like heat? Add some chili flakes, or a splash of Tabasco Sauce.

-A few green beans or asparagus tips thrown in 5 or 10 minutes before serving add to the look and taste of the soup.

Tips and Techniques

Beef Barley Soup is one of those soups that improves in flavor the next day. This is because the flavors have that much more time to mix with one another, and infuse themselves into all the ingredients. Some people even wait until the next day to eat it, rather than the same day it is cooked!

If you decide to try this, do NOT freeze the soup, or the flavors won't mix. Keep it in the fridge, where it will last a day or two if well covered (otherwise it might absorb odors from other foods in the fridge).

After two days, it really should be in the freezer, for health and safety reasons.

And if you want to try some other easy recipes for dinner, try Easy Dinner Recipes. More than just recipes, this site also provides menus and shopping lists to make planning dinners easy!

Return from Beef Barley Soup Recipe to Clear Soups



Enter your E-mail Address to Subscribe to What's New at Homemade Soup Recipes
Enter your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you What's New at Homemade Soup Recipes.

footer for beef barley soup page