This ultra comforting beef barley soup recipe is made easy in the slow cooker, which makes for incredibly tender beef and vegetables with perfectly textured barley!
Prep time: PT15M
Cook time: PT360M
Total time: PT375M
Rating
4.91 stars (185 reviews)
Ingredients
1.5 lbs beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 - 1 1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch pieces ((Yukon gold or russets are preferred))
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium yellow or sweet onion, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, sliced in half lengthwise, then cut into 1/2-1 inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 Tbsp better than bouillon beef base ((optional but recommended))
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
6 cups beef broth or stock (reduced sodium)
2/3 cup pearl barley
Categories
Entree
Main Course
Cuisine
American
Steps
If desired, heat 1 Tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over MED HIGH heat. Add beef cubes and brown for 1-2 minutes per side.
Add beef and all remaining ingredients to slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
Remove bay leaves and thyme stems and serve. Goes perfectly with some crusty bread.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 378 kcal
Reviews
Gloria Jensen on 2026-09-03 (5 stars): Love this recipe made it twice now so hearty and delicious
Jack MeHoff on 2026-08-30 (5 stars): I would murder my whole family for a bowl of this soup. Every last one of them...lol jk, it is really good though.
Michele Holcomb on 2026-08-09 (5 stars): This soup is so dang good, I have it cooking away in my crock pot currently, my house smells heavenly! I've made it several times already, it's definitely on my rotation. I've never used the Better than Bouillon paste before trying this the very first time, but it's definitely the go-to now so I appreciate your insistence that this is a highly recommended ingredient! I also cannot find regular pearl barley near me so went with the instant version as that was all I could find. I just add it into the crockpot at the end of the recommended time on the barley packet and it turns out beautifully.
Erin Connelly on 2026-02-01 (5 stars): Made this according to the recipe for the first time today and it was delicious! Very yummy and very filling!
Lori Stone on 2026-01-31 (5 stars): I just made the stovetop version of this it's absolutely delicious. I had to vary it a bit because I didn't have any beef base on hand. I also used chopped sweet potato for half the russet. I served it with the sweet brown Cheesecake Factory rolls. It was so amazing. I can't wait to check out your other recipes!
Sheila on 2026-01-18 (5 stars): Fantastically delicious soup! Added more veggies + large can of diced tomatoes & mushrooms. Will definitely try more of your recipes!
Linda on 2026-01-11 (5 stars): This soup was a wonderful dish to have while watching our favorite football team. Tasty and hearty. Everyone loved it. This is the first recipe that I have tried on your site....can't wait to try more.
sue Fitz on 2026-01-07 (5 stars): I love beef and barley soup and this recipe is good. I do cook the barley separate and add what I need. This makes alot for one person so I do freeze it and that is why I cook the barley separate.
Nawana on 2026-01-06 (5 stars): This turned out wonderful in the crockpot! Great on a cold winters day with homemade dinner buns.
Amber on 2025-12-31 (5 stars): Awesome to make, everyone loved it!
Brian Brandenburg on 2025-12-28 (5 stars): Awesome recipe for a cold winter dinner. My family loved it! Thank you!
Polly on 2025-12-22 (5 stars): This soup is so incredibly hearty & delicious, I've made it twice in a month. We love it!! We been eating a lot of farro lately and enjoying it, so I substitued it for the barley, cooked it ahead and dropped it in during the last half hour. Perfection - especially on a cold, rainy day!
D. Acly on 2025-12-12 (5 stars): I get requests to make this soup often. The flavor is wonderful and leaves you wanting more!! Thank you, Chunky Chef!!
Polly on 2025-12-04 (5 stars): This recipe is absolutely DELICIOUS! I made it exactly as written, and it was hearty and fantastic. Definitely a "make it again" recipe! Thanks Chunky Chef. You are THE BEST!
