Nif's Crock Pot Beef Barley Soup

Warm up your soul with Nif's Crock Pot Beef Barley Soup, a hearty one-pot wonder that’s perfect for cozy dinners or meal prepping. This slow-cooked recipe combines tender, seared beef stew meat with wholesome pearl barley, vibrant vegetables like carrots, celery, and green beans, and a flavorful base of rich beef broth and diced tomatoes. A sprinkle of dried thyme and a bay leaf infuse the soup with comforting, herby depth. The crock pot does all the work while you go about your day, slowly melding the flavors over 6–7 hours for a deeply satisfying result. Finish with a garnish of fresh parsley for a pop of freshness, and enjoy this nutritious, freezer-friendly dish that's as easy as it is delicious! Perfect for fans of hearty soups, easy crock pot recipes, and classic comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:420 mins

Total Time:435 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Beef stew meat
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 2 large Carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks Celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 0.75 cup Pearl barley
• 6 cups Beef broth
• 1 14-ounce can Diced tomatoes, canned
• 1 leaf Bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 1 cup Frozen green beans
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Season the beef stew meat with salt and pepper.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef for 2–3 minutes per side, or until browned. Work in batches if necessary. Remove beef from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion, carrots, and celery for 5–6 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Transfer the vegetables to the crock pot.

Step 4

Add the seared beef to the crock pot along with the pearl barley, beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), bay leaf, and dried thyme. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Cover the crock pot with the lid and set it to low heat. Cook for 6–7 hours, or until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked through.

Step 6

During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen green beans. Replace the lid and allow them to heat through.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 8

Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2987.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2016.7

Total Fat 74.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 408.2mg	0%
Sodium 8929.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 174.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.2g	0%
Total Sugars 27.0g
Protein 158.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 513.4mg	0%
Iron 23.4mg	0%
Potassium 4609.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.6%

Protein: 31.7%

Carbs: 34.8%