Easy Dairy-Free Beef and Barley Soup is a cozy, savory meal made with just five core ingredients. This budget-friendly, flavorful, and hearty soup is made without milk, butter, or cream, and it's perfect for using up leftover brisket or roast.
So, about this soup...
The prep for this soup is effortless. Just boil your barley, sauté the onions, and stir in the remaining three ingredients.
It uses just 5 ingredients-four from your pantry plus your leftover beef, such as brisket, roast, or even stew beef as long as the beef is still tender.
It's a budget-friendly recipe for a hearty, satisfying, and comforting dinner at the end of a busy day.
And it's nutritious because both beef and barley have nutritional benefits!
Origins of this soup
Beef and barley soup is believed to date back to 18th-century Scotland. Farmers would slowly cook beef or mutton with barley and vegetables over a low flame to create a hearty, healthy, and inexpensive meal.
Back then, a thick and hearty soup or stew that was made by boiling vegetables, grains, and often meat was called "pottage."
Some cooking terms:
The following information may not particularly pertain to this recipe but rather answers general useful questions related to cooking.
What does it mean when recipes say "to taste" about an ingredient?
When recipes say "to taste," it means that you can put in as little or as much as you like to your own taste. Some recipes have many ingredients that a cook can adjust to their own taste when cooking (not so much when baking, though).
The best way to calculate what your taste is with a recipe that you are not yet familiar with is to first taste the dish and then add the "to taste" ingredient GRADUALLY, a little at a time-a splash of this or a pinch of that-until the dish is just the way you like it.
Make sure to stir the ingredient after each time you add it so that the flavor will distribute evenly and become part of the dish. Then taste again. Repeat until you reach your personal preference.
Note: If you plan on using the recipe again, it is highly recommended to make a note of what and how much you added so that you can refer to it next time.
What does it mean when a recipe says that an ingredient is "optional"?
If an ingredient is "optional," it means that you can add it in or not based on your own preference. An optional ingredient can be flavor-related (i.e., salty, sweet, spicy, etc.), appearance-related (garnish), or even something like nuts or chocolate chips in baking.
What does "savory" mean?
"Savory" refers to foods that are not sweet, such as foods that taste salty, spicy, or herbal.
What does "sauté" mean?
To sauté means to cook quickly in a small amount of oil or fat in a frying pan on a relatively high heat that causes a slight browning of the food on the outside.
What does "boil" mean?
Boiling is cooking food submerged in water hot enough to have rapid, rolling bubbles.
What does it mean to chop?
To chop means to cut into small pieces.
What does it mean to dice?
Dicing is cutting into small cubes or squares.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use fresh beef instead of leftover beef?
Yes. While this recipe is fantastic for using up leftover cooked beef or brisket, you can easily use freshly cooked or browned stew beef as well.
Is this beef and barley soup dairy-free?
Yes. This soup is naturally dairy-free. It contains no milk, butter, or cream, making it a wonderful, hearty dairy-free meal.
Can you freeze beef and barley soup?
Yes. Beef and barley soup freezes very well. Let the soup cool completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag, and store it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop.
How do I reheat leftover soup?
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through, or warm a larger batch on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through. If the soup has thickened in the fridge, you can splash in a little extra water to thin it out.
What is needed to make easy 5-ingredient beef and barley soup?
I'm not great at meal planning and like to keep a lot of standard seasonings, spices, veggies, and canned goods in my kitchen at all times.
But these are all you need to have on hand to make this recipe even last-minute!
pre-cooked (leftover) stew beef or brisket
pearl barley
onion
tomato paste
beef or chicken consommé powder
(and a little oil for frying)
Love soup? Try these!
- Easy Vegan Split Pea Soup
- Easy Vegetarian French Onion Soup
- Vegetarian Egg Drop Soup
- Vegetarian Israeli White Bean Soup
- Creamy Vegetarian Potato Soup
Easy Dairy-Free Beef and Barley Soup Recipe
Easy and delicious, hearty beef and barley soup made with only 5 ingredients, including your leftover beef.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pre-cooked roast, brisket, or stew beef cut into approximately 1-inch cubes*
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 1 medium onion, chopped or diced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste (more if you prefer)
- 2 tablespoons chicken consommé powder or to taste
- oil for frying
- water
Instructions
- Cook barley in a pot according to instructions on the package.
- Pour oil into a frying pan, enough to just coat the bottom (2-3 tablespoons) and place on a medium-low flame.
- Add onion and cubes of meat and sauté until browned.
- Add onions and meat to the cooked barley in the pot. Then, add tomato paste, chicken soup powder, and 4 cups water.
- Mix well and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes until the soup has thickened.
Notes
* You can add more meat if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 774Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 278mgSodium: 201mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 91g
