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Dinner

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

A cozy, hearty bowl of beef and barley soup that cooks itself while you go about your day.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· July 17, 2026
Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
8 hours
Total
8 hours 15 minutes
Serves
6

There is nothing quite like coming home to the smell of a warm, comforting soup after a long day. This beef and barley recipe is a staple in my kitchen because it is so simple to prepare and always hits the spot on a chilly evening.

My best tip is to sear the beef in a pan before adding it to the slow cooker if you have an extra ten minutes. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor that makes the final dish taste like it simmered on the stove for hours.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound beef chuck roast, cut into one inch cubes
  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 3 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place the cubed beef, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic into the slow cooker.

  2. 2

    Stir in the pearl barley, dried thyme, and the bay leaf.

  3. 3

    Pour the beef broth over the ingredients and add a pinch of salt and pepper.

  4. 4

    Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked through.

  5. 5

    Remove the bay leaf before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed.

  6. 6

    Ladle into bowls and top with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The barley will soak up the broth as it sits, so add a splash of water when you reheat it to bring the texture back to life.

#soup#beef#comfort food#slow cooker#dinner

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