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    Home » Beef Soups

    Barley soup with ground beef and vegetables

    Posted: Dec 25, 2019 · Updated: Mar 21, 2021 by Tonje

    Jump to Recipe

    This comforting barley soup with ground beef and vegetables is the perfect meal for cold winter evenings. Filled with fiber, protein and vitamins, it's excellent for keeping you healthy while also having a satisfying flavour. We add barley, minced beef and diced vegetables to a pot along with beef stock, and boil until the barley and vegetables have cooked through. It couldn't be simpler!

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    Barley soup with ground beef in bowls on a wooden chopping board.

    Barley soup ingredients

    The best soups have simple ingredients, and this soup with barley is no exception. Here is all you need:

    • Minced beef. This can also be substituted with other minced meat, chicken pieces or sliced sausage. You can also omit it altogether for a vegetarian version of the soup.
    • Pearl barley. A lovely and hearty grain that's perfect for a filling and cheap meal.
    • Vegetables. I will list the vegetables I use, but you can also just use the ones you prefer, or whatever is left in your fridge.
    • Beef stock. Or vegetables stock, stock cubes or simply water with seasoning. I love making my own stock when I can, but this stock from Amazon is a great alternative!
    Barley soup ingredients on a marble table.

    What is barley

    Barley is a type of grain. It’s similar in shape and size as pearl couscous, bulgur or rice, but it has a hearty flavour. 

    In this recipe we use pearl barley. This is not considered a whole grain, but it is very rich in fiber and incredibly filling.

    How to make barley soup with ground beef

    Barley soup with ground beef could not be easier! Start by browning the mince, then add diced onion and garlic. Saute until soft, then add the mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms have reduced in size. Add the barley and stock, bring it to a boil and leave it to simmer for 15 minutes. Add diced vegetables. Allow the soup to cook until the vegetables have cooked through and the barley is soft, approximately 10-20 minutes depending on how thick you cut the vegetables.

    Infographic showing how to make barley soup.

    How to brown mince

    Browning the mince before adding the other ingredients really enhances the flavour of both the mince and the liquid. Browning mince simply means cooking it until it turns brown in colour. See how to do it here.

    Storing leftover barley soup

    Store leftovers in airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze leftover barley soup for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen soup in the fridge overnight, and reheat in a pot or the microwave until piping hot.

    The barley tends to absorb the majority of the liquid, so I recommend adding more stock or water before reheating leftovers.

    The main components of a satiating soup

    A great soup should taste great. If it’s the main part of your meal, it should also be filling. These are the elements that will make any soup satiating and perfectly comforting:

    • Fiber - keeps you full longer, and is great for digestion. You can find fiber in whole grains and vegetables.
    • Protein - an important part of your diet. Protein fills you up in a good way, and you can find it in meat, legumes, seeds, nuts, eggs and dairy products.
    • Liquid with great flavour. Liquid is what makes a soup, and we have to make sure that it tastes amazing.
    • Ingredients with different colours. Colorful foods have plenty of vitamins, and eating a variety of colours ensures that you get a wide range of all the goodness you need. Try to eat them while they are in season!

    More hearty soup recipes

    • Bacon and lentil soup
    • Apple and parsnip soup
    • Creamy vegetable soup with tortellini
    • Kale and chickpea soup with ham
    • Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup

    Recipe

    Barley soup with ground beef in bowls on a wooden chopping board.

    Barley Soup With Ground Beef And Vegetables

    This comforting barley soup with ground beef and vegetables is the perfect meal for cold winter evenings. We add barley, minced beef and diced vegetables to a pot along with beef stock, and boil until the barley and vegetables have cooked through.
    5 from 5 votes
    Created by: Tonje
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Soup
    Cuisine International
    Servings 4
    Calories 522 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 500 g lean beef mince
    • 250 g pearl barley
    • 250 g mushrooms
    • 400 g carrots
    • 1 medium broccoli
    • 2 celery sticks
    • 1 onion
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 2 litre beef stock (or 2 l water + 4 stock cubes)
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • Finely dice the onion and garlic. Peel and dice the other vegetables in bite sized pieces. Try to cut the vegetables in similar sized bits to make sure they have the same cooking time.
    • Heat the oil in a large pot. Brown the mince, then add diced onion and garlic. Saute until soft.
    • Add the mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms have reduced in size.
    • Add the barley and stock, bring it to a boil and leave it to simmer for 15 minutes.
    • Add diced vegetables. Allow the soup to cook until the vegetables have cooked through and the barley is soft, approximately 10-20 minutes depending on how thick you cut the vegetables.

    Notes

    Store leftovers in airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze leftover barley soup for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen soup in the fridge overnight, and reheat in a pot or the microwave until piping hot.
    The barley tends to absorb the majority of the liquid, so I recommend adding more stock or water before reheating leftovers.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 522kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 41gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 215mgPotassium: 1656mgFiber: 18gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 17667IUVitamin C: 146mgCalcium: 144mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword barley, dairy free, dairy-free soup, egg free, nut free
    Tried this recipe?Mention @hintofhealthyfood or tag #hintofhealthy!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vicky

      December 27, 2019 at 8:18 pm

      5 stars
      Such a hearty soup for a cold winter's day! After being out in the cold weather, this is just the kind of meal I want to come home to. This is a filling soup with so many good-for-you ingredients.

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 27, 2019 at 8:24 pm

        Absolutely perfect for winter indeed!

        Reply
    2. Genevieve from @fittyfoodlicious

      December 27, 2019 at 8:22 pm

      5 stars
      This soup looks perfect for getting back into the swing of things after the holidays! And super healthy too!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 27, 2019 at 8:23 pm

        Yep, it's perfect for getting back to normal! Hope you like it 🙂

        Reply
    3. Susan K

      December 27, 2019 at 8:52 pm

      5 stars
      what a perfect recipe for chilly days. The days have been getting colder here and we love soup. I found your recipe and gave it a try! It was a hit with my family!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 27, 2019 at 8:57 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed it, Susan! I love soup when it's cold as well.

        Reply
    4. Anita

      December 27, 2019 at 9:11 pm

      5 stars
      I need to make some soup today, and it's a good luck I run into this recipe. I have everything in my pantry and fridge! I'll be making this ASAP. 🙂

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 27, 2019 at 9:12 pm

        Let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
    5. Erika

      December 27, 2019 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a delicious and hearty soup!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 27, 2019 at 9:12 pm

        Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tonje! I make easy and healthy everyday recipes that your family will love. Browse my recipe collection to discover new favorites, and make sure to let me know what you think!

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