Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Dive into a bowl of cozy comfort with this Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup, the ultimate blend of hearty flavors and wholesome ingredients. Perfect for chilly days, this recipe combines tender, slow-cooked beef stew meat with nutrient-packed vegetables, pearl barley, and fragrant herbs. A quick sear on the beef and a sauté of onions, carrots, and celery elevate the soup’s rich, savory base before it simmers to perfection in a flavorful broth of beef stock and tomatoes. With just 20 minutes of prep and an 8-hour slow cook, this dish is a low-effort way to enjoy a fulfilling, homemade meal that tastes like it’s been simmering all day. Garnished with fresh parsley, this comforting soup is perfect for busy weeknights or freezer-friendly meal prepping. Ideal keywords: "slow cooker soup recipe," "beef and barley soup," and "hearty slow-cooked meals."

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:500 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Beef stew meat
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, diced
• 3 medium Carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 medium Celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 8 cups Beef broth
• 14.5 ounces Diced tomatoes (canned)
• 0.75 cups Pearl barley
• 2 whole Bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Season the beef stew meat with salt and black pepper.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and sear it on all sides until browned. Remove the beef from the skillet and transfer to the slow cooker.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Transfer the vegetables to the slow cooker.

Step 4

Pour the beef broth and diced tomatoes (with juices) into the slow cooker. Add the pearl barley, bay leaves, and fresh thyme.

Step 5

Stir the ingredients together, ensuring everything is well combined, and cover the slow cooker with its lid.

Step 6

Set the slow cooker to low heat and let the soup cook for 8 hours, or until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked through.

Step 7

Once the cooking time is complete, remove the bay leaves from the soup and discard them.

Step 8

Garnish individual servings with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your hearty Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3590.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2739.3

Total Fat 123.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g
Cholesterol 612.3mg	0%
Sodium 10977.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 173.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.0g	0%
Total Sugars 30.4g
Protein 222.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 523.3mg	0%
Iron 28.3mg	0%
Potassium 5517.7mg	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: 41.2%

Protein: 33.0%

Carbs: 25.8%