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READY IN 5+ hrs

Mom's Italian Beef Barley Soup

Read Reviews (138)

"The best beef barley soup. Thickens with just the barley. Tastes best in the slow cooker. Serve topped with parmesan cheese and with a salad." — RUSTEE

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Original recipe makes 6 servings Change Servings

2 pounds cubed beef chuck roast
5 cups water
4 cubes beef bouillon, crumbled
1/2 onion, chopped

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
3/4 cup uncooked pearl barley
salt and pepper to taste

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Directions

In a slow cooker, combine beef, water, bouillon, onion, tomato sauce, barley, salt and pepper.
Cover, and cook on Low for 5 hours.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 10 mins
COOK 5 hrs
READY IN 5 hrs 10 mins

Footnotes

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This recipe is YUMMY!!!! I made it on a Friday, but then my husband walked in with a pizza for supper. So we had the pizza instead. (I did sample the soup and it was good but a little thin and needed some additional spices. I added some thyme and garlic powder - much better.) Anyways, I put the soup away to eat the next day. On Saturday when I took it out, it was way thicker and was REALLY GOOD. Everybody loved it. There was one serving left over which I had for breakfast on Sunday, and I must say that Sunday was the best day for it yet. The tate and texture were outstanding. One thing I might do differently next time would be to use round steak cubes rather than chuck so the meat would be more tender. This was no fault of the recipe, I just like softer beef in my soups. I will definitely be making this again.

—pawprints

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Apr 09, 2008

I was looking for a good beef and barley recipe and this just didn't suit me. The barley soaked up all the flavor from the tomatoes, I don't care for tomatoes but put them in anyway. It really didn't have any other flavor to me at all, the barley didn't soak up the beef flavor. Going to omit the tomatoes next time and add in some spices instead.

—akakizzy

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175 Ratings

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Nov 11, 2006

Just wonderful! I did add a bit of red wine,fresh thyme, bay leaf, minced garlic, and carrots to the beef broth. I also browned the beef before I put everything into the crockpot. Thank You!

—squeaky6

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Dec 30, 2003

Great Thick soup that was easy to prepare. Various vegies can be added to taste(carrots,celery,etc) and additional broth or reduced barley for a thinner soup. Garlic and thyme are great additions.

—KaylynsDad

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Feb 13, 2004

This recipe is so incredibly easy - my family loved it. It's very healthy, and that's a big plus. I added carrots and celery at the beginning, and also sliced fresh mushrooms the last hour. Next time, I will add more barley, maybe even double it. The taste was rather bland, so I too will add garlic, or Italian seasonings, or maybe a bay leaf or two. Parmesan cheese really improved the taste, even without the other seasonings. Definitely a recipe that I'm going to make many more times.

—TZINNO

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Mar 02, 2006

I cooked my barley according to package directions, rinsed with water and added it to the soup an hour before serving. Cooking and rinsing takes the starch out and it won't over thicken soup.Added a chopped carrot and mushrooms and total 8 cups water. Would make again quick and easy!

—PUNXSYPATTY

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Mar 04, 2003

This is just what I was looking for. A beef barley soup that is self-thickening and has a wonderful hearty taste that kids and adults love. All you need is a salad and crusty french bread. Yum!

—DINCINCY

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Nov 27, 2007

Great recipe! I love the way it thickens up and the beef is so tender. I did add celery, carrots, onions, and garlic. Also added a bit of red wine. Very good and filling.

—NEONDEE

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Nutrition

Calories
465 kcal
23%

Carbohydrates
24.5 g
8%

Cholesterol
107 mg
36%

Fat
27.6 g
42%

Fiber
3.5 g
14%

Protein
28.8 g
58%

Sodium
877 mg
35%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Mom's Italian Beef Barley Soup

Serving Size: 1/6 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Amount Per Serving
** Calories: 465
** Calories from Fat: 249

% Daily Value *
** Total Fat 27.6g 42 %
** Saturated Fat 11.1g 55 %
** Cholesterol 107mg 36 %
** Sodium 877mg 35 %
** Potassium 631mg 18 %
** Total Carbohydrates 24.5g 8 %
** Dietary Fiber 3.5g 14 %
** Protein 28.8g 58 %
** Sugars 2.5g
** Vitamin A 3 %
** Vitamin C 5 %
** Calcium 4 %
** Iron 46 %
** Thiamin 25 %
** Niacin 83 %
** Vitamin B6 43 %
** Magnesium 18 %
** Folate 14 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.