This Beef Barley Soup is the heartiest soup recipe ever! It’s full of flavorful beef, vegetables, and barley chunks that will keep you warm on a cold day.
When you’re craving something warm and comforting for dinner, soup is the answer. And this beef barley soup is sure to become a fast favorite. It’s so flavorful that it’s almost impossible to stop at just one bowl.
There is just so much to love about this beef and barley soup. The beef becomes nice and tender as the soup slowly simmers on the stove. Because it’s chewy, the barley gives the soup extra body, which makes it even more satisfying. Mushrooms add umami flavor to complement the beef, and the broth is wonderfully thick, rich and flavorful.
This beef and barley soup tastes a lot like this vegetable beef soup. I think you’ll love how the barley and mushrooms make this soup even better. This Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup recipe is great for people who like to cook meals in an Instant Pot.
When the weather turns chilly there’s nothing more comforting than a piping hot bowl of beef barley soup. This hearty classic is loaded with tender beef vegetables, and nutty barley in a savory broth. It’s a favorite budget-friendly meal for many families. But is this traditional soup actually good for you?
In this article we’ll explore the nutritional benefits of beef barley soup and how it can support a healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation.
What is Beef Barley Soup?
Beef barley soup is a hearty soup made by simmering beef, vegetables, and barley in a flavorful broth. Some of the key ingredients in traditional recipes include:
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Beef – chuck roast or stew meat works well. Provides protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins.
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Onions and garlic – Sautéed at the beginning to add flavor. Supply prebiotics and antioxidant compounds.
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Carrots and celery – Common soup vegetables high in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
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Barley – Fiber-rich whole grain with a nutty flavor and chewy texture.
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Tomato – Brightens flavor and adds vitamin C.
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Seasonings like thyme, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce – Build a rich, savory broth.
The beef is simmered with the vegetables, barley and seasonings for at least an hour, while the flavors meld together into the signature tasty broth.
This soup has been a staple for generations thanks to its simple ingredients, ease of preparation, and hearty, comforting nature. It’s often served with warm bread or biscuits to soak up the lovely broth.
Nutritional Profile of Beef Barley Soup
So what are the nutrition facts of this classic soup? Here is the breakdown for 1 cup (240ml) of homemade beef barley soup:
- Calories: 210
- Fat: 4g
- Carbs: 28g
- Protein: 16g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sodium: 430mg
Beef barley soup provides a hefty dose of protein, at 16 grams per serving. The barley also contributes a good amount of fiber and complex carbs. There are 4 grams of fat per cup, which is relatively low.
However, sodium can vary widely based on the type of beef broth used. Homemade stock is ideal for keeping sodium levels in check. Store bought broth can be very high in sodium.
Compared to chicken noodle soup, beef barley soup has more calories, carbs, and nearly double the protein due to the beef and barley. It’s also higher in iron, delivering 15% DV versus just 3% DV in chicken noodle.
Potential Health Benefits of Beef Barley Soup
What are some of the potential wellness benefits associated with beef barley soup? Here are some of the top ways this hearty classic can support your health:
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Provides lean protein. The beef supplies amino acids to help build and maintain muscle. This makes it great for athletes or the elderly.
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Rich in iron. The beef, barley and spinach offer heme and non-heme iron to prevent deficiency. Iron carries oxygen to cells.
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High in magnesium. Just one cup delivers 15% DV magnesium, which supports bone health, heart function and sleep quality.
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Fiber aids digestion. The 6 grams of fiber per serving helps keep you regular and promotes a healthy gut. The broth also hydrates.
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Anti-inflammatory spices. Onions, garlic, and thyme contain compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body.
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Promotes heart health. The beta-glucans in barley lower LDL cholesterol, reducing heart disease risk.
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Antioxidant-rich. Carotenoids in carrots, vitamin C in tomatoes, and flavonoids in herbs fight damaging free radicals in the body.
Tips for Making Healthy Beef Barley Soup
You can maximize the nutritional value of your homemade beef barley soup with a few simple tips:
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Choose lean beef like sirloin tip or 90% lean ground beef to limit saturated fat.
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Load up on veggies like carrots, celery, spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
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Use low-sodium chicken or beef broth and limit added salt.
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Add a whole grain like farro or brown rice along with barley.
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Stir in beans like cannellini or chickpeas for extra plant protein.
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Garnish bowls with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, not heavy cream.
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Enjoy as part of a balanced diet with veggies, fruits, healthy fats and whole grains.
Potential Downsides of Beef Barley Soup
While delicious and nutritious in moderation, there are a few potential cons to eating beef barley soup:
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It can be high in sodium, especially if using canned or store bought broths. Excess sodium intake is linked with high blood pressure.
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The saturated fat content can quickly add up if you use fatty cuts of beef. Leaner cuts are better for heart health.
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Barley contains gluten, so it is not suitable for anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
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Some people find barley hard to digest. Cooking it thoroughly softens it.
To prevent any issues, pay attention to portion sizes, watch your sodium intake, and consume beef barley soup as part of an overall healthy and balanced diet.
Bottom Line: A Healthy Comfort Food
When made with simple whole food ingredients like lean beef, veggies, and nutritious barley, beef barley soup can be a very healthy addition to your diet. This satisfying soup delivers protein, essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, prebiotics, and fiber – making it a nourishing one-bowl meal.
Enjoy this hearty classic in moderation alongside other fiber-rich plant foods as part of a balanced diet, and you can feel good about this cozy comfort food. Just be mindful of sodium levels if using store bought broths. So grab your favorite soup spoon and enjoy a steaming bowl of healthy, homemade beef barley soup.
Beef Barley Soup Recipe Tips
- When the beef and barley are soft, the soup is done. This is usually about an hour after I stir in the barley. Barley still has a chewy texture after it’s been cooked, which makes it taste even better.
- If you think the soup is too thick after it’s done cooking, add more broth. Some of the broth burns off as the soup cooks, and the barley soaks up more broth as it cooks.
- Taste the soup before you serve it and add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it.
- You can add frozen peas or green beans in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
If you serve beef barley soup with garlic bread or crusty bread and a salad, it makes a hearty meal. I suggest pairing it with this Kale Salad, an Italian Salad or this Arugula Salad. If you have a bit more time, we also love to serve homemade Dinner Rolls with soup.
Beef Barley Soup Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this beef barley soup, including ingredient notes and suggestions.
- Olive Oil: For browning the meat and sautéing the veggies.
- Beef Stew Meat: Because it’s already cut up, I use beef stew meat when I make this recipe to save time. If you’d rather, you can use a beef chuck roast and cut it up yourself.
- To season the beef and make the soup taste better, use salt and pepper.
- Carrots, onions, and celery are three vegetables that are used in many soup recipes to make them taste better.
- Cremini Mushrooms: The mushrooms make the beefy soup taste better, but you can leave them out if you don’t like them.
- Lots of fresh garlic: I like to use a lot of fresh garlic to make food taste better. I used 4 medium-sized cloves in this case.
- Bay Leaves and Dried Thyme: Thyme has a lovely earthy taste that goes well with this soup.
- Tomato Paste: Adds richness to the broth.
- Beef Broth: I like to raise the rich flavors of beef soup by adding beef broth to the recipe. Chicken broth may be substituted if desired.
- Worcestershire sauce adds umami flavor to go with the mushrooms and beef.
- Pearl Barley: Pearl barley is sold at most grocery stores. Make sure you get pearled barley instead of hulled barley because they need to be cooked at different times. Take a little extra time to add the barley to the pot if the package says it cooks quickly. This will give the beef plenty of time to get tender.
Beef Barley Soup: The Best Comfort Food You’ll Ever Taste
FAQ
Is beef and barley good for you?
Is barley soup good for you?
Is Beef Barley Soup high in carbs?
Is barley soup anti inflammatory?
Is Beef Barley Soup good for You?
Classic beef barley soup is truly comfort in a bowl! It’s one of those soothing options that just makes you feel healthy, strong, and nourished with every bite. When you have a quiet Sunday afternoon at home, simmer a pot of this soup on the stove and sit down to a delicious family dinner.
Is raw barley good for health?
People better consume cooked barley rather than raw ones. Natural grains such as raw barley can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Moreover, cooking barley will increase its digestibility, so it will be easier to absorb the nutrients contained in barley.
What is beef and barley soup?
Beef and Barley Soup is full of delicious beef and barley, tender veggies, and fresh herbs, to bring you an amazingly hearty soup your family will ask for all winter long. Beef and Barley Soup is full of delicious beef and barley, tender veggies, and fresh herbs, to bring you an amazingly hearty soup your family will ask for all winter long.
What to eat with Beef Barley Soup?
Serve each warm bowl with a loaf of crusty bread, a skillet of cornbread, flaky buttermilk biscuits, or a simple green salad. Classic beef barley soup is truly comfort in a bowl! It’s one of those soothing options that just makes you feel healthy, strong, and nourished with every bite.