Classic Beef Barley Soup

Name: Classic Beef Barley Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Yield: 3-4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2/3 cup pearl barley; 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef; 1 medium onion, chopped; 4 large garlic cloves, minced (optional, can use more I always do); 1 -2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional or to taste); 4 carrots (peeled and finely chopped); 2 celery ribs, diced; 3 (10 1/2 ounce) cans beef consomme, undiluted; 2 cups water; 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can tomato soup, undiluted; 1 -2 bay leaf; salt & freshly ground black pepper

Submitted by Kittencalrecipezazz

"An easy classic beef barley soup with lots of flavor! Feel free to add in any extras of your choice, I like to add in chili flakes and jalapeno peppers for some heat, I also like to sprinkle some fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top of the soup in the bowl"

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photo by NoraMarie

Ready In:: 2hrs 20mins
Ingredients:: 12
Serves:: 3-4

ingredients

²⁄₃ cup pearl barley
1 ¹⁄₂ lbs lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, minced (optional, can use more I always do)
1 -2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional or to taste)
4 carrots (peeled and finely chopped)
2 celery ribs, diced
3 (10 1/2 ounce) cans beef consomme, undiluted
2 cups water
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can tomato soup, undiluted
1 -2 bay leaf
salt & freshly ground black pepper

directions

In a large Dutch oven, brown the ground beef with onion, garlic and thyme (if using) until meat is no longer pink.
Add the remaining ingredients to pot.
Cover and simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, adding salt and pepper to suit taste.

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Reviews

I've made this at least six times now and finally thought to review it. We've had it with both the ground beef and leftover roast, either way it's a family favourite.The addition of the can of tomatoe soup just gives it that extra body and flavour. We're having it tonight with bakery rolls and saskatoon berry pie for dessert. Thanks for another awesome recipe Kittencal.

Mary Jane
Made this for our lunch yesterday and I followed the directions except for using leftover roast beef...wonderful. Another winner and one I will make again.

mama smurf
Wonderful!! This soup is soooo good just like all of Kittencal's recipes!! This is one soup that will be made often. Thank you so much.

Beansy
I love barley soups, and this is the best I've ever made! It tastes even better the second day. None of the ingredients overpower the taste, it's a hearty satisfying blend of flavors. This is a keeper! Made for Zaar Chef Alphabet Soup Game.

ElaineAnn
A good, easy, classic, crowd-pleasing soup. I made it for our teachers (we provide soup for our teachers every first Monday of the month) and out of the 5 choices, it was the first one gone! I used a mixture of beef stock, chicken stock and 1 can of consomme. Also added 1/2 can of corn and some fresh green beans just to get a few more veggies in there. I added a little more barley and stock than it called for since I needed it to feed a group. And a few splashes of Worchestershire (sp?). I enjoyed having hamburger vs. chunks of beef--made it seem more souplike than stew like. I will be adding this to my recipe file!

coboyle

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Tweaks

This is my first beef and barley soup, and I liked it a lot. I used some leftover pot roast instead of ground beef, and only 2 cans of consumme, plus more water to control the salt. I will be making this again, thanks Kitten!

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