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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot Pressure Cooking

    Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

    Published: Dec 27, 2021 · Modified: May 11, 2020 by Bowl Me Over · 22 Comments

    If you love slowly simmered tender beef, barley and vegetables, this Beef Barley Soup Recipe will give you all the flavor in less than an hour! This is a big beefy soup loaded with plump barley and tender vegetables.  It’s a delicious soup that is made in your Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Instant Pot Beef and Barley Soup - An easy to make, meaty soup filled with tender chunks of beef, plump barley and tender vegetables. This big beefy stew is hearty and satisfying. Because it's made in the pressure cooker it has all the flavors of a soup that has been slowly simmered all day, but takes less than an hour!

    Next time try Slow Cooker Beef Stew and Dumplings.

    White bowls filled with Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup
    Soups and stews are made quickly and easily in the pressure cooker.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQ's
    • Tips
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Related Recipes
    • Serve with
    • Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup Recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    Slow-cooked soups are best made on weekends and holidays, right? Well no more! When you use your pressure cooker, it takes less than half the time!

    ✔️it’s done in less than an hour!

    ✔️It's super simple to make.

    ✔️It's affordable as well like the Potato Soup with Ham recipe (which is also made in the pressure cooker).

    I've made this hearty soup more times than I can count. It's one of Dan's favorites! It's a meal your whole family will enjoy! Rich roast beef, sautéed veggies and tender barley – what’s not to love? This easy recipe makes 8 generous servings, so it’s easy on your wallet also!

    A ladle of beef barley soup being scooped out of an Instant Pot.

    Ingredients

    For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

    • round-steak - beef chuck roast, beef stew meat, or leftover roast beef
    • pearl barley - a delicious whole grain, you'll find it in the dried beans section
    • crushed tomatoes OR canned French onion soup and beef consommé - big shortcut on flavor
    • beef stock - low sodium is best
    • carrots, celery, onion, sliced mushrooms, garlic and frozen peas - tons of fresh vegetables make this soup extra hearty.
    • salt, pepper, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes - seasonings to perfect flavor the soup.

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

    1. Trim fat from the round-steak (if desired). Cut the steak into small cubes. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper, set aside.
    2. Peel and dice carrots and onion. Slice the mushrooms. Mince the garlic.
    3. Turn the Instant Pot on sauté, when it is hot add the olive oil and round-steak.
    4. Brown meat on all sides.
    5. Add the carrots and onions along with the Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine. Sauté for another couple of minutes. Add the garlic and stir again.
    6. Now add the liquid, both soups, and the stock. Add the bay leaves and barley. Stir everything to combine. Scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
    7. Turn the Instant Pot off, then press the manual setting. Set the timer to 20 minutes, high pressure. Top with the lid and seal. Turn the valve to seal.
    8. When the timer is done your meal is complete. Do a quick release, stir and serve!
    9. Optional - stir in a handful of minced parsley and a tablespoon of red wine vinegar. It will brighten the flavors of the soup.

    Stove top instructions

    1. Stovetop directions for Beef Barley Soup – brown the meat, add the vegetables as described in the instruction.
    2. Add the liquid, cover and simmer for 2-3 hours until the meat is tender and the barley is cooked through.
    3. Add the peas at the end just prior to serving.

    Crockpot instructions

    1. Omit the olive oil when using the slow cooker. Add all of the ingredients to crockpot. Cover and set on low cook 8-10 hours or until the meat is tender.
    2. Add the peas at the end, stir well and serve.
    White bowl filled with stew on blue platter with spoons.
    Easy Beef and Barley Soup Instant Pot

    FAQ's

    If you're never made barley you might have a few questions. We love it and it's perfect when added to soups and stews. I think you'll really enjoy it also. If I missed a question, don't hesitate to comment or pop me an email!

    Do you cook barley before adding to soup?

    No need to precook the barley. It is added to the soup along with the rest of the stew ingredients.

    Does barley need to be soaked before cooking?

    There is no need to soak the barley before cooking. Just rinse it well under cool water prior to adding it to the pressure cooker.

    How long does it take to cook barley in the soup?

    What can take 45 minutes on the stovetop happens quickly when using an Instant Pot. Twenty minutes under pressure and the barley is plump and cooked.

    Can I freeze beef barley soup?

    Yes, this soup freezes great! After the soup is completely cooled, place it in a freezer container and seal well. It will last up to three months.

    Tips

    Wait to add the frozen peas until thereat is completely cooked. If you add them earlier, they will get mushy.

    Beef Barley Soup in white bowls with spoon.
    Hearty and delicious you'll love this soup!

    Variations

    You can really add a variety of vegetables to this soup, potatoes, green beans, corn, zucchini, really any fresh vegetables.

    A dash of Worcestershire sauce is a great addition and will deepen the flavor of the soup.

    Storage

    Refrigerate - Allow to cool completely, store in an airtight container up to three days.

    Freeze - This soup freezes great up to three months.

    Reheat - Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

    Related Recipes

    Corned Beef Stew - This soup is rich, thick and delicious!

    Instant Pot Lentil Soup and Instant Pot Chicken Soup are both recipes that are made in the pressure cooker. Both easy to make, hearty soups!

    Serve with

    Serve with crusty bread! Make a batch of fresh dinner rolls (this recipe uses frozen bread dough and it's super easy!) or these Cheesy Pizza Hut Breadsticks.

    This make-ahead Roast Beef Rollups Recipe is the perfect bite with this soup!

    Serve a salad with this meal, that would be super yummy as well! This Garden Salad Recipe is just so good!

    White bowl filled with stew on blue platter with spoons.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 10 votes

    Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup Recipe

    If you love slowly simmered tender beef, barley and vegetables, this Beef Barley Soup Recipe will give you all the flavor in less than an hour! This is a big beefy soup loaded with plump barley and tender vegetables.  It’s a delicious soup that is made in your Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Lunch or Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 191kcal
    Author: Deb Clark
    Cost: $12
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound round steak cut into cubes
    • 15 ounces crushed tomatoes or one 10.5 oz can each French onion soup and beef consommé
    • 4 cups beef stock
    • 1 yellow onion peeled and diced
    • 3 carrots peeled and diced
    • 1 cup sliced mushrooms I used a package of pre-sliced mushrooms
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • ¾ cup barley
    • 1 cup frozen peas
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
    • 1 bay leaf

    Instructions

    • Remove the fat from the round-steak (if desired). Cut the steak into small cubes. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper, set aside.
    • Peel and dice the carrots and onion. Slice the mushrooms. Mince the garlic.
    • Turn the Instant Pot on sauté, when it is hot add the olive oil and round-steak.
    • Allow the meat to brown and on all sides. About two minutes per side.
    • Add the carrots and onions along with the Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine. Sauté for another couple of minutes. Add the garlic and stir again.
    • Now add the liquid, both soups, and the stock. Add the bay leaves and barley. Scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pot - that adds flavor! Stir everything to combine.
    • Turn the Instant Pot off, then press the manual setting. Set the timer to 20 minutes. Top with the lid and seal. Turn the valve to seal.
    • When the timer is done your meal is complete. Do a quick release, stir and serve!
    • Optional - stir in a handful of minced parsley and a tablespoon of red wine vinegar. It will brighten the flavors of the soup.

    Notes

    How to make Beef Barley Soup on the stovetop or in the slow cooker;

    • Slow Cooker Directions – Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker (minus the olive oil). Set on low. Cook 8-10 hours or until the meat is tender. Add the peas at the end, stir well and serve.
    • Stovetop directions – start with a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil and brown the meat. Next add the vegetables as described in the directions above. Simmer for a couple of hours until the meat is tender and the barley is completely cooked. Add the peas at the end just prior to serving.
    I originally created this recipe using french onion and beef consommé canned soup. I've updated the recipe using crushed tomatoes and I really like this version better. If you prefer to make this like the original recipe use one can each of french onion and beef consommé soup instead crushed tomatoes. Follow the rest of the recipe as written.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 436mg | Potassium: 680mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3960IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 3mg
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    Originally published March 7, 2018 - Last updated December 27, 2021.

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    About Bowl Me Over

    Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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