Description
This Homemade Slow Cooker Beef & Barley Soup is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Tender beef slow-cooked with fresh vegetables, barley, and aromatic herbs in a rich beef broth creates a nutritious and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Oil
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 lbs beef roast
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, sliced thinly
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced finely
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 14.5 oz. can sweet corn, drained
Herbs & Spices
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Liquids & Grains
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup barley
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef roast and sear it until browned on all sides, which locks in the flavors and adds depth to the soup.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared beef to the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the sliced carrots, celery, diced onion, minced garlic, freshly chopped parsley, dried oregano, dried thyme, beef broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, and barley into the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cover and cook the mixture on low for 6 to 8 hours. This long, slow cooking method tenderizes the beef and allows all the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add the Corn: About 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, stir in the drained sweet corn to warm it through without overcooking.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the bay leaf, taste for seasoning, then ladle the comforting soup into bowls and enjoy your homemade beef and barley soup.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, increase barley to 1 1/4 cups or cook uncovered for the last hour to reduce liquid.
- Use a chuck roast or brisket for tender, flavorful beef.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: beef barley soup, slow cooker soup, homemade beef soup, easy slow cooker recipe, hearty winter soup
