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Easy Crock Pot Beef Barley Soup Recipe for a Cozy Dinner

Easy Crock Pot Beef Barley Soup

Tender beef, pearl barley, vegetables, tomatoes, and herbs simmer slowly in a flavorful beef broth for a cozy dinner. This recipe makes 6 to 8 servings and is ideal for make-ahead meals.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 pounds Beef stew meat or beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil, optional for browning
  • 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium Carrots, sliced
  • 3 ribs Celery ribs, sliced
  • 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
  • 3/4 cup Pearl barley, rinsed
  • 6 cups Beef broth
  • 1 14 to 15-ounce can Diced tomatoes with juices
Seasonings
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
  • 1 leaf Bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon, plus more to taste Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
Garnish
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Optional but recommended: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef lightly with salt and pepper, brown it in batches for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, and transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
  2. Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, rinsed pearl barley, beef broth, diced tomatoes with their juices, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
  3. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. The soup is ready when the beef is tender and the barley is fully cooked.
  4. Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup carefully. Adjust the salt and pepper, adding hot broth or water if the soup is thicker than desired.
  5. Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

Browning the beef is optional but adds more savory flavor. Pearl barley continues absorbing liquid as the soup cools, so keep extra broth or water available for leftovers and reheating.