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    Home » Recipes » Soup

    Old Fashioned Beef Vegetable Soup with Barley

    First Published: February 3, 2021 . Last Modified: October 1, 2021 lisa51 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Old Fashioned Beef Vegetable Soup with Barley is pantry friendly so you can make it anytime.  Loaded with tender beef, barley and nutrient filled vegetables, this soup is sure to warm you up at lunch or dinner.

    One of my favorite foods to make on a snow day is soup.   We sure have had lots of snow days this past week so I have been making soup non- stop! This one is a snowed in favorite because I usually have all the ingredients on hand in my panty and freezer. There is no need to run to the store for anything.  

    This hearty beef vegetable soup is warm, savory and comforting. I always keep some of this vegetable beef soup in the freezer so I can reheat it and have a bowl anytime I want comfort food.   

    Ingredients Needed 

    • Stew Meat - I like to use a lean beef cut like top round but chuck has more fat so it's more flavorful. Chuck is usually the least expensive meat also.  You could also use sirloin tips or get a small roast and cut it into cubes yourself.  
    • Beef Broth or Stock - Use your favorite but I recommend a low sodium one so you can control the saltiness in your soup.  
    • Frozen Vegetables - These are my favorite. I get a blend of peas, corn, green beans and carrots. They keep well in the freezer and are never mushy in the soup. Don't be afraid to use frozen vegetables as they taste as good as fresh in soups and are super healthy. 
    • Quick Cooking Barley - This barley cooks in 10 to 15 minutes which is fabulous to make beef barley soup. If you can't find this type, you can use regular but make sure to cook it longer according to the package directions. 
    • Canned Tomato Sauce - I use a plain tomato sauce from a can but you could substitute a cup of fresh chopped tomatoes.  You can also use chunky or crushed canned tomatoes.  I make homemade air fryer roasted tomatoes and a cup of these are delicious in this soup.
    • Olive Oil and Seasonings - Olive oil is my favorite oil to use in most of my cooking but feel free to use canola or another vegetable oil. This beef vegetable soup has basic seasonings like onion and garlic powder, dried parsley and salt and pepper. But use your favorite seasonings if there is something you like more.  
    The steps to making beef barley soup are quite easy.

    Steps to Making Beef Barley Soup

    1. Brown stew meat in olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
    2. Add broth and tomato sauce. Simmer until the stew meat is tender.
    3. Add frozen veggies, barley and additional seasonings. Cook on low until veggies and barley are tender.
    4. Season to taste before serving in bowls. 

    Old Fashioned Beef Barley soup is comfort food but very pantry friendly to make anytime you want it.

    Tips for Storing and Reheating Soup

    • In the fridge, your soup will last 3 to 4 days. But in the freezer, it will be good for up to 6 months. Make sure to keep it in an air tight plastic container.
    • From the refrigerator, you could either microwave your soup in a bowl for 2 minutes or pop it back into a pot and heat until simmering.
    • If your soup is frozen, there are a few options. First, you could allow it to sit in the fridge overnight to properly thaw, then follow the same instructions listed above.
    • If you're in a rush and need the soup to thaw more quickly, you could place it in a warm water bath in its container or use the defrost function of your microwave.
    • Finally, you could remove the frozen soup from the container and pop it right into the pot, then heat until it's heated all the way through.

    More Hearty Soup Recipes

    Yellow Split Pea Soup with Ham 

    Leftover Turkey Orzo Soup

    Cabbage and Beef Soup

    Spicy lentil Soup with Smoked Chicken Sausage

    Cheeseburger Soup via Spiced

    Vegetable Beef Barley Soup is warm and comforting!

    What goes well with Beef Barley Soup

    This soup is a meal in itself so I like to serve it with some bread on the side or a salad. It also pairs well with a simple sandwich or wrap. While it's easy enough to get a delicious loaf of bread or rolls from the bakery, below are a here are some recipes you can easily make to go with the soup.

    • Cheese Beer Bread
    • Middle Eastern Bread Salad
    • Hummus Veggie Wrap
    • Quick Dinner Rolls via Honeybunch Hunts

    If you like this beef soup recipe, please give it a 5-star rating below. 

    RECIPE

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 9 votes

    Old Fashioned Beef Vegetable Barley Soup

    Old Fashioned Beef Vegetable Soup with Barley is pantry friendly so you can make it anytime of year.  Loaded with tender beef, barley and vegetables, it is hearty comfort food.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course: Dinner Entree, Soup
    Cuisine: American Comfort Food
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 344kcal
    Cost: $10

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 16 ounces beef stew meat
    • 8 cups low sodium beef broth or stock (or more if necessary)
    • 1 can - 8 ounces tomato sauce
    • 4 cups frozen mixed vegetables (10-16 ounce package)
    • 1 cup quick cooking barley
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

    Instructions

    • In a large soup pot, heat olive oil on medium and brown meat for about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add broth and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low heat for about 40 minutes or until meat is tender. 
    • Add frozen veggies and cook for 10 minutes. Add barley, onion powder and garlic powder. Cook for another 10 to 15 minutes or until barley is tender. If soup is too thick, more broth can be added to thin.
    • Season with salt and pepper if needed and serve in bowls.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 691mg | Potassium: 1259mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 6170IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 4mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary

      March 20, 2009 at 12:39 pm

      I'm a fan of barley soup, Lisa. This looks awfully good. I hope the snow is gone by tomorrow.

      Reply
    2. Sara

      March 20, 2009 at 3:39 pm

      This looks delicious - I really like barley but don't cook with it nearly enough!

      Reply
    3. Peter M

      March 20, 2009 at 3:42 pm

      Lisa, beef barley soup is a longtime family-fave...truly a meal of a soup.

      Reply
    4. Donna-FFW

      March 20, 2009 at 3:47 pm

      Lisa- This looks terrific! I have been looking for a beef barley, this sounds wonderful and it looks so delicious, I can not believe the snow this morning either!! Odd, huh?

      Reply
    5. Pam

      March 20, 2009 at 3:58 pm

      Mmmm. Looks nice and hearty - perfect for this cold rainy day.

      Reply
    6. Maria

      March 20, 2009 at 5:10 pm

      Happy Spring to you too! Love barley soup, I will just minus the beef:)

      Reply
    7. Jennifer

      March 20, 2009 at 6:34 pm

      Time to buy some barley and make the soup--I know what you mean about making soup now that it is 'spring'. New challenge involving PEEPS

      Reply
    8. Michele

      March 20, 2009 at 7:44 pm

      Happy Spring to you too Lisa!
      I could eat beef barley soup any day of the year. It's never to hot for a bowl full of the stuff. 🙂

      Reply
    9. Annie

      March 20, 2009 at 8:17 pm

      You got me with this one. I remember eating this when I was little girl. I have to make this, thanks for posting 🙂

      Reply
    10. Heather

      March 20, 2009 at 8:45 pm

      oh, i love beef barley soup. yous looks so delicious! i am definitely going to give it a try 🙂

      Reply
    11. Jeena

      March 21, 2009 at 12:18 pm

      Now this is a tasty soup that is so rustic and delicious!

      Reply
    12. Priscilla

      March 21, 2009 at 3:27 pm

      Sounds like a perfect meal on those chilly spring days!

      Reply
    13. Bridgett

      March 21, 2009 at 5:01 pm

      This looks so hearty. I love barley soup.

      Reply
    14. Erica

      March 22, 2009 at 12:43 am

      Looks great Lisa! I love any soup that involves barley! Hope it warms up your way 😉

      Reply
    15. Dawn

      March 22, 2009 at 5:22 pm

      happy spring Lisa! let's hope the warm weather soon follows????

      Reply
    16. Lynda

      March 22, 2009 at 6:28 pm

      This is delicious looking soup! I 'll have to try this this week as we are expecting some cool, rainy weather.

      Reply
    17. Culinary Cory

      March 22, 2009 at 10:32 pm

      I can't believe you actually woke up with a dusting of snow! The soup looks hearty and welcoming.

      Reply
    18. Allie

      March 23, 2009 at 10:06 am

      Yummy!! Happy Spring Lisa!

      Reply
    19. Jennifer

      March 23, 2009 at 10:09 am

      That looks pretty easy to make.

      I make soups a lot and have never made this one before. I'm definitely bookmarking it!

      Reply
    20. Jeff

      March 23, 2009 at 12:59 pm

      Thankfully our first day of snow was met with good weather. However, that could change in two minutes and be faced with a blizzard.

      Great comfort food recipe!

      Reply
    21. Aggie

      March 23, 2009 at 1:04 pm

      I can't believe the weather you've been getting! I feel guilty for actually enjoying our nice weather in FL!

      The soup looks and sounds so good, we are having a rainy day today and I would so love some of that soup!

      Reply
    22. Debbie

      March 23, 2009 at 1:44 pm

      Looks really good. I have not had barley soup in ages....

      Reply
    23. The Food Hunter

      March 23, 2009 at 3:21 pm

      Looks like delicious comfort food to me.

      Reply
    24. Bunny

      March 23, 2009 at 8:21 pm

      I love barley in a beef stock soup! I need to make this!

      Reply
    25. Tanya

      March 24, 2009 at 7:02 am

      Barley soup is one of my favorites. I should make this this week. Looks delicious 🙂

      Reply
    26. Elra

      March 24, 2009 at 9:37 am

      Such a delicious and comforting soup Lisa.
      Cheers,
      elra

      Reply
    27. Robin Sue

      March 24, 2009 at 4:17 pm

      Oh how I wish my hubby liked barley. I love its taste and texture, perfect in soups. Great recipe!

      Reply
    28. The Blonde Duck

      March 24, 2009 at 5:00 pm

      I love beef soup! This looks great!

      Reply
    29. GypsyMommy

      March 24, 2009 at 11:01 pm

      I love your blog! Feel free to stop by my blog for your awards. Have a great day!

      Reply
    30. Mary

      March 24, 2009 at 11:44 pm

      Lisa, I have an award for you to pick up on my blog.

      Reply
    31. Jamie

      March 25, 2009 at 4:32 am

      Wow what a gorgeous soup. I love warming, hearty soups like this for family dinners.

      Reply
    32. biz319

      March 25, 2009 at 12:37 pm

      I haven't made barley soup in ages - thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    33. giz

      March 28, 2009 at 4:20 am

      If I had to pick 3 of my favourite soups, beef/barley would definitely be in that category. It's so hearty and warming and the season doesn't really matter to me.

      Reply
    34. burpandslurp

      March 28, 2009 at 1:15 pm

      just wanted to say, THANKS so MUCH for your lovely comment! it made my day!

      Reply
    35. Jan

      March 28, 2009 at 5:23 pm

      This looks like the perfect soup for today, because after 2 weeks of warm weather, it's snowing again here. Oh, and I have a cold, so I know this would make me feel a whole lot better.

      Reply
    36. Chef E

      March 29, 2009 at 10:38 am

      I love beef barley soup, and I must say yours looks better than any I have ever seen, even my own!

      Reply
    37. melissa

      February 24, 2010 at 7:35 pm

      hi! i know this post is super old, but I just wanted to let you know I made it without the beef this weekend and it's making a lovely lunch. I linked to you on the post. http://kitchencanister.blogspot.com/2010/02/vegetable-barley-soup.html

      Reply
    38. adventuresfromcloud8

      November 28, 2010 at 9:47 pm

      I am going to make this tomorrow, it sounds perfect!

      Reply
    39. Anonymous

      December 05, 2010 at 4:12 pm

      Good Afternoon

      Great share, thanks for your time

      Reply
    40. Christine

      October 01, 2021 at 1:42 pm

      It looks good

      Reply
    41. Beth

      October 01, 2021 at 7:43 pm

      5 stars
      This soup is so delicious. I have shared this recipe with family and friends because I think it is that good, Thanks for sharing the recipe with us.

      Reply
    42. Julie

      October 01, 2021 at 7:54 pm

      5 stars
      Looks so hearty, comforting and delicious. A perfect soup for any day.

      Reply
    43. Mirlene

      October 01, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      You really can't go wrong with soup for this season! Love a savory bowl of soup to comfort me with all the delicious beef in it!

      Reply
    44. Kay

      October 02, 2021 at 4:20 am

      5 stars
      This is a proper soup, I love the addition of stewing beef, the flavours it adds and also filling enough for a dinner time soup.

      Reply
    45. Mindee Taylor

      October 02, 2021 at 8:41 am

      5 stars
      Yum! Loved how fast this recipe was to make! It was even better reheated the next day too!

      Reply
    46. Heather Perine

      October 02, 2021 at 10:16 am

      5 stars
      This soup was so comforting....made for a perfect Fall weekend dinner and (great leftovers too!)

      Reply
    47. Alessandra Abate

      October 19, 2022 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! I loved every spoonful!

      Reply
      • lisa

        October 20, 2022 at 2:01 pm

        Thanks Allessandra! One of my favorite soups!

        Reply
    48. Susan Bopp

      January 24, 2023 at 8:03 pm

      5 stars
      This was super easy and very flavorful I loved it I did add two 8 oz cans of tomato sauce instead of one and just a teaspoon of that better than bouillon beef and it came out so good

      Reply
      • lisa

        January 25, 2023 at 1:43 pm

        Hi Susan,
        Great idea if you like it with an extra tomato flavor. Thanks for the review and your input!
        Lisa

        Reply
    49. judie

      April 10, 2025 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      I'm75 and never cooked barley before! Anyhow this is what I did to cut down on time. I put a qt. of LS broth, stew beef & barley in pressure cooker (I skipped the oil). I cooked 12min. I cut up an onion since I didn't have onion powder. I put another qt. broth, used 16oz can diced tomatoes instead of sauce & everything else in the pot & cooked on stove top 10-15min til onion & barley were cooked. That's it!! It is delicious & so easy.

      Reply

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