Hearty Barley & Beef Comfort Soup
Warm up your chilly evenings with this Hearty Barley & Beef Comfort Soup—a nourishing blend of tender stewing beef, wholesome barley, and a medley of vibrant vegetables simmered to perfection. Each bowl bursts with rich flavors and hearty textures, making it the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for family gatherings or meal prep, this soup is designed to warm your heart and fill your belly. Enjoy a taste of homemade goodness that is sure to become a cherished favorite!
18
Servings
83
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Soup bone (meaty) or bouillon cubes
1 (If using a soup bone, keep it whole; if using bouillon cubes, have them ready.)
Water
3 quarts (Measure and set aside.)
Stewing beef
1/2 lb (Cut into 1/2-inch cubes.)
Onion
1 large (Chopped.)
Thyme
1/2 teaspoon (Dried.)
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Freshly ground.)
Salt
to taste (Add according to preference.)
Paprika
1 teaspoon (Ground.)
Bay leaf
1 (Whole.)
Barley
1/2 cup (Rinsed.)
Canned tomatoes
2 cups (Chopped, with juice.)
Carrot
1 cup (Sliced.)
Celery
1/2 cup (Chopped.)
Peas
1/2 cup (Preferably frozen.)
Green beans
1/2 cup (Cut into pieces.)
Potatoes
2 (Pared and diced.)
Parsley
1/4 cup (Chopped.)
Instructions
1
In a large soup kettle, combine the meaty soup bone (or bouillon cubes) with 3 quarts of water, 1/2 lb of cubed stewing beef, chopped onion, thyme, black pepper, salt, paprika, bay leaf, and 1/2 cup barley.
2
Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat.
3
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally and skimming off any foam that forms to keep the broth clear.
4
After 3 hours, remove the soup bone from the pot and discard it. Stir in the remaining vegetables: chopped canned tomatoes, sliced carrots, chopped celery, peas, green beans, and diced potatoes.
5
Continue to simmer the soup for an additional 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the barley is cooked through.
6
Finally, mix in the chopped parsley and let the soup rest for about 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
7
Serve warm, enjoying the hearty and savory goodness!
Nutrition Information
1.7g
Fat
10g
Carbs
4.4g
Protein
2.2g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Barley & Beef Comfort Soup?
It is a nourishing blend of tender stewing beef, wholesome barley, and a medley of vibrant vegetables simmered to perfection.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 18 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this soup?
Each serving contains approximately 83 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 4.4g of protein in each serving of the soup.
How much fat is in a single serving?
Each serving contains about 1.7g of fat.
What are the carbohydrate and fiber counts?
Each serving provides 10g of carbohydrates and 2.2g of fiber.
What type of beef is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of stewing beef cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
Can I use bouillon cubes instead of a soup bone?
Yes, you can use either a meaty soup bone or bouillon cubes to provide the base flavor.
How much water is needed to make the broth?
You will need 3 quarts of water.
How long does the beef and barley base need to simmer?
The mixture should simmer uncovered for about 3 hours.
Why do I need to skim the foam during simmering?
Skimming off the foam that forms helps to keep the broth clear.
Which spices are used in this soup?
The soup is seasoned with dried thyme, black pepper, salt, paprika, and a whole bay leaf.
How much barley is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of rinsed barley.
When should the vegetables be added?
Vegetables should be added after the initial 3-hour simmer and after removing the soup bone.
What specific vegetables are included in the recipe?
The vegetables include onion, canned tomatoes, carrots, celery, peas, green beans, and potatoes.
How long do the vegetables need to cook?
Simmer for an additional 30 minutes once the vegetables are added until they are tender.
How should the potatoes be prepared?
The recipe suggests using two potatoes that have been pared and diced.
Should the canned tomatoes be chopped?
Yes, use 2 cups of chopped canned tomatoes with their juice.
What should I do with the soup bone after the first simmer?
Remove the soup bone from the pot and discard it before adding the vegetables.
When do I add the parsley?
Mix in the chopped parsley at the very end, after the vegetables have finished cooking.
How long should the soup rest before serving?
Let the soup rest for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What type of onion is used?
The recipe calls for one large chopped onion.
Can I use frozen peas in this soup?
Yes, preferably use 1/2 cup of frozen peas.
How much celery is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of chopped celery.
How should the carrots be cut?
The carrots should be sliced to make 1 cup.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The exact serving size in volume is not specified, but the recipe is calculated for 18 servings.
Is this soup good for meal prep?
Yes, the description notes it is perfect for family gatherings or meal prep.
What kind of pot should I use?
A large soup kettle is recommended for this recipe.
How much paprika is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground paprika.
Can I adjust the salt level?
Yes, salt should be added to taste according to your preference.