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Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup is rich and thick and perfect for a chilly fall or winter night.
For more delicious soup recipes try these: Steak Soup,
Baked Potato Soup, and Clam Chowder.
The cold weather has arrived. I can see my breath when I go out for a walk and I have had to scrap ice off my windows a few times.
We enjoy soup year round at our house but especially in the fall and winter. Nothing is quite as satisfying as getting a pot of hearty soup going in the slow cooker in the morning, smelling it simmer all day and then enjoying a big bowl full for dinner!
Today’s recipe for slow cooker beef and barley soup is a “hearty” soup. Not only does it have tender chunks of meat but I love the barley in it. It is delicious and really helps to fill you up.
How to Make Crock Pot Beef and Barley Soup
- Brown the meat. Heat two TabIespoons of olive oil in a skillet and add meat. Season with Montreal Steak Seasoning. If I am pressed for time I will put the meat into the slow cooker without browning it first. If you don’t brown the meat, skip the olive oil but add in the Montreal Steak Seasoning.
- Cook the meat until lightly browned.
- Add meat, carrots, onions, celery, potatoes and tomatoes into the slow cooker.
- Add in seasonings and beef broth. Stir to incorporate.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- After seven hours, add in the barley and turn the slow cooker up to high and let it cook one more hour.
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The only other thing you need might be a nice loaf of french bread. Now you’re ready for fall!
Can I Make Crock Pot Beef and Barley Stew in the Instant Pot?
- Season beef with salt & pepper. Place 1 Tbso oil in the bottom of Instant Pot and set to “Saute”. Add in Montreal Steak seasoning and brown the beef.
- Remove beef and add in remaining oil along with onions and celery. Saute to soften. Add in garlic and stir for another minute.
- Add in carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, barley, broth and seasoning.
- Stir together, place lid on and set valve to “seal”. Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 15 minutes with a 15 minutes natural release followed by a quick release.
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Beef and Barley Soup Recipe
Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb. stew meat
- 1 tsp Montreal Steak Seasoning
- 1 /2 cup barley
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 carrots sliced
- 2 stalks celery sliced
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 potatoes cubed and peeled
- 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp basil
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1 Tbsp parsley
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 Tbsp white sugar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Brown meat in oil and season with Montreal Steak Seasoning.
- Place meat in slow cooker
- Add in vegetables, liquid, tomatoes, seasoning, sugar and pepper.
- Cook on low for 8 hours
- Add in barley and cook on high for one additional hour
Nutrition Facts:
Originally posted Nov. 1, 2013
Samantha Hutchinson says
I liked this soup a lot, it was very flavorful. I like how it’s a chunky soup with lots of big bites.
AnnieO says
This is a great soup anytime but especially in the fall and winter months when it’s cold and dreary. Very hearty and flavorful! Easy to make and I am usually running out of time so I cook it on high in my slow cooker for four hours plus extra barley time. Always turns out great! One of my husband’s favorites.
PS This is also a great dish to give when trying to help someone or a family that is needing a meal for whatever reason.
Kelly says
SCRUMPTIOUS!!! I made this the first time and it was a huge hit! It has been requested again . I had a hard time finding barley during the covid 19 crisis but gratefully I found it and am making it tomorrow.. Thank you for the recipe and stay safe…
Christina says
I accidentally used diced tomatoes instead of crushed, but it still turned out amazing!! Also, I didn’t brown the meat first (because I’m super lazy and hate dirtying more pots!). Instead, I mixed together all ingredients minus the beef in the slowcooker. Then I put the raw beef on top and sprinkled it with the seasoning (I used more, closer to two teaspoons). Lid on, 8 hours later, perfection!
Nancy Covey says
Just wondering about the cooking time. Is it 8 hours total? 7 on low and 1 on high when you add the barley or 8 on low and then one more on high after you add the barley? This soup looks so yummy. I can’t wait to try it!N
Leigh Anne says
I cooked it 8 hours on low and then one additional hour on high with the barley