Beef & Barley Soup

This Beef & Barley Soup is a hearty, old-fashioned favourite loaded with tender beef chunks, chewy barley, and soft carrots in a rich, savoury broth. Whether you call it a comfort food classic or old-school and boring, it’s guaranteed to warm you up.

Ingredients

• 700g (1½ lb) stewing beef, cut into chunks
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 150g (¾ cup) pearl barley
• 1.5 litres (6 cups) beef stock
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, to garnish (optional)

Beef & Barley Soup: Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot or frying pan over medium-high heat.
2. Sear the beef in batches, cooking each side for 2–3 minutes until nicely browned all over.
3. Sauté the aromatics – add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook for 2–3 minutes until they turn soft.
4. Add the vegetables – stir in the carrots and celery, and let them cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Mix in the barley – add the pearl barley and stir so it combines well with the beef and vegetables.
6. Add the liquids – pour in the beef stock along with the tomato purée, mixing thoroughly.
7. Season the soup – add dried thyme, a bay leaf, salt, and pepper to taste.
8. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and allow it to simmer gently until fully cooked.
9. Cook slowly for about 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring every so often, until the beef turns tender and the barley becomes soft and plump.
10. Monitor the consistency – check on the liquid level from time to time, and add a bit more stock or water if the soup thickens too much.
11. Remove the bay leaf before you’re ready to serve.
12. Adjust the flavor – taste the soup and season further if needed.
13. Serve the dish by ladling it into individual bowls. For a fresh finishing touch, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top, if you’d like.
14. Serve warm, paired with crusty bread on the side.

This rich, filling soup is a timeless classic — simple ingredients slowly simmered into a deeply comforting bowl that never really goes out of style.