This Homemade Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Soup is insanely delicious, hearty, and surprisingly easy to make.
Tender chunks of beef slowly simmer with wholesome barley, fresh vegetables, and rich savory broth to create a warm, comforting meal that tastes like it cooked all day — because it did!
It’s the perfect cozy dinner for chilly evenings, meal prep for the week, or whenever you’re craving something filling and nourishing. Every spoonful is packed with flavor, texture, and homemade goodness.
Ingredients:
1 lb (450g) beef stew meat, cut into cubes
1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups beef broth
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (optional)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Brown the Beef (Optional but Recommended):
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and sear for 2–3 minutes until browned on all sides. This step adds extra flavor.
Add to Slow Cooker:
Transfer the beef to the slow cooker. Add barley, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf.
Pour in the Broth:
Add the beef broth and stir everything together.
Cook:
Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours, or
Cook on HIGH for 4–5 hours,
until the beef is tender and the barley is fully cooked.
Season & Serve:
Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete, satisfying meal.