Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

This Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup is loaded with tender beef, barley, and vegetables simmering in a rich broth. It’s the perfect crockpot meal for warming you up on a chilly day! 

Looking for more hearty soups? Try this Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe, Cabbage Roll Soup, or Albondigas Soup (Meatball Soup) next!

There’s nothing quite like a bowl of Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup to warm you up on a chilly day!

It’s a comforting meal that’s cozy, hearty, and packed with flavors, like tender chunks of beef, nutty barley, and aromatic veggies. 

The best part is that the slow cooker does all the work for you! 

While this classic Beef and Barley Soup is always a favorite, sometimes you just don’t feel like standing over the stove (or you’re too busy to!). 

That’s where the crockpot comes in, making it the perfect solution for those hectic days.

Why we love this Beef Barley Soup recipe:

• Low effort: Besides browning the beef, the slow cooker does all the work, so you can have dinner on the table without the stress!
• Flavorful: This recipe is loaded with vegetables, rich broth, and tender beef for a hearty soup that will fill you up. 
• Nutritious: This soup is full of protein, whole grains, fiber, and vegetables, all in a neat little delicious package!

Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup ingredients:

• Oil: Use a neutral oil to brown the beef. 
• Beef stewing meat: Beef stew meat is typically a tougher cut, like a chuck roast, that becomes tender and flavorful after slow cooking! You can also use ground beef, but make sure to cook it with the onions and drain any fat before adding it to the soup.
• Aromatics: Onion and fresh garlic add so much flavor to this soup! If you’re in a pinch, you can use onion and garlic powder, but fresh is always best, in my opinion. 
• Italian seasoning: adds a lot of flavor with just one spoonful.
• Veggies: Carrots and celery are common soup veggies that add flavor and color!
• Pearled barley or pot barley: Barley is a chewy, hearty grain that soaks up the flavors of the broth.
• Tomato paste: Adds a depth of flavor and helps thicken the soup slightly.
• Bay leaves: Add an aromatic, slightly floral flavor. 
• Low sodium beef broth: Forms the base of the soup! I always opt for low sodium broth so I can control the salt content. 
• Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, bright flavor when sprinkled on top of the soup before serving. 

How to make Crockpot Beef Barley Soup:

The slow cooker does most of the work in this Beef Barley Soup recipe! Don’t forget to check the recipe card for the full list of recipe instructions.

• Brown the beef in batches, then transfer to the slow cooker.
• In the same pan, cook the onions until soft, scraping up any browned bits.

• Add garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper, and cook for another minute.
• Add carrots, celery, barley, tomato paste, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Cook on low until everything is tender.

How to store leftover soup:

You can store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Because this soup is made with barley, it freezes perfectly! You can freeze it all together or in individual servings in an airtight freezer-safe container or in zip-top freezer bags.

Freeze for up to 3 months, and just place it in the fridge overnight to thaw before reheating.

Serving suggestions:

This savory soup is the perfect meal to serve with crusty bread or dinner rolls! They’re so delicious dunked into the soup to soak up all that delicious broth. 

If you want to add some more veggies on the side but still want to keep things cozy, I love to make some Easy Creamed Peas or Cheesy Baked Asparagus!

More slow cooker soups you’ll love:

• Crockpot Lasagna Soup (quick & easy!) — so much easier than that layering!
• Crockpot Potato Soup — one of my personal favorites.
• Crockpot Zuppa Toscana — so much flavor with just a few ingredients.
• Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup — taco night made easier!