Beef And Barley Soup
Hearty beef and barley soup with tender meat, flavorful vegetables, and chewy barley, perfect for comforting family dinners and cold weather cravings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large 3 1/2-quart kettle, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown beef short ribs.
- Add chopped onions, sliced carrots, sliced celery, chopped tomatoes with liquid, water, and bouillon cubes; bring to boil.
- Cover and simmer for about 2 hours or until beef is tender.
- Add pearl barley and simmer another 50 or 60 minutes or until barley is done.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider browning the beef short ribs well before adding other ingredients. If you don't have pearl barley, you can substitute with quinoa or farro, but adjust cooking times accordingly. To enhance the soup's richness, add a splash of red wine during the simmering stage. Always taste and adjust seasoning towards the end of cooking for the best results.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty Beef and Barley Soup with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Cathy'S Honey-Mustard Chicken for a comforting family dinner. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for a burst of flavor and color just before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you wish to freeze the soup, let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm gently on the stove, adding a little water if needed to adjust the consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef And Barley Soup contains roughly 1019 calories, with 18g protein, 164g carbohydrates, and 37g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (150% of the Daily Value), and potassium (91% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 725mg per serving (32% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute beef chuck or stew meat if short ribs aren't available. Just ensure to adjust cooking times as needed, since different cuts may become tender at different rates.
How can I make this soup gluten-free?
To make this soup gluten-free, simply substitute the pearl barley with gluten-free grains like quinoa or brown rice. Always check the labels of your bouillon cubes to ensure they are gluten-free as well.
Can I add other vegetables to this soup?
Absolutely! Feel free to incorporate other vegetables like potatoes, green beans, or peas. Just chop them into bite-sized pieces and add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking to ensure they remain tender yet firm.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).