Name: Delicious Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup in 25 Minutes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil; 2 pounds beef stew meat cut into bite sized pieces; 1 small onion chopped, about 1 cup; 2 celery stalks chopped, about 1 cup; 2 medium carrots peeled, chopped, about 1 cup; 2 garlic cloves minced; 6 cups low sodium beef broth; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 cup pearl barley rinsed; 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained; 2 teaspoons dried parsley or Italian seasoning; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons sea salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Jump to Recipe

Okay, let’s talk SOUP! Is there anything more comforting than a big bowl of warm, hearty soup on a chilly day? I seriously doubt it. And this Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup? Forget about it! It’s total game-changer. What used to take hours simmering on the stove is now ready in under an hour thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. Seriously, if you haven’t jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon yet, this recipe is your sign!

Growing up, my grandma used to make the BEST beef barley soup. It was an all-day affair, and the smell would fill the whole house. Now, I love Grandma’s recipe, I REALLY do, but ain’t nobody got time for that during the week! That’s where this Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup comes in clutch. You get that same soul-satisfying flavor, but without spending all day chained to the stove. Trust me, this will become a FAST family favorite!

And just so you know I’m not just some random person on the internet claiming to know good soup, I’ve been cooking for my family for over 15 years. I’ve tweaked countless recipes, survived many kitchen disasters (oops!), and learned a thing or two about what makes a meal truly delicious. So, yeah, I know my way around a pot of soup!

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Seriously, what’s NOT to love? But if you need convincing, here’s the lowdown on why this Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup will become your new go-to:

Quick and Easy Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Forget slaving over a hot stove all day! The Instant Pot cuts down the cooking time like crazy. You get that slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time. Weeknight dinner WIN!

Hearty and Flavorful Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

This isn’t some wimpy, watery soup. We’re talking rich beef broth, tender chunks of beef, and chewy barley that’ll stick to your ribs. My favorite part is the deep, savory flavor – so good!

Nutritious and Wholesome Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Packed with protein, fiber, and veggies, this soup is actually GOOD for you! You can feel good about feeding this to your family. Plus, it’s easy to adapt with even MORE veggies if you’re feeling extra healthy!

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Ingredients for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup. Don’t skimp – good ingredients make for a GREAT soup!

1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil – whatever you’ve got!). I usually use olive oil because that’s what I keep on hand.
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces. Now, this is important! Get good quality stew meat. Cut it into about 1-inch chunks, so it cooks evenly.
1 small onion, chopped, about 1 cup. Doesn’t have to be perfect – we’re going for rustic here!
2 celery stalks, chopped, about 1 cup. Again, roughly chopped is just fine.
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped, about 1 cup. I like to chop mine on the smaller side so they cook through nicely.
2 garlic cloves, minced. Fresh garlic is a MUST, trust me!
6 cups low sodium beef broth. Low sodium is key so you can control the saltiness yourself. You can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away!
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. This adds a serious depth of flavor – don’t skip it!
1 cup pearl barley, rinsed. Rinsing gets rid of any extra starch.
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained. Yep, dump the whole can in there, juice and all!
2 teaspoons dried parsley (or Italian seasoning – either works!). I usually have parsley on hand.
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt. Adjust to your taste, of course.
1 teaspoon ground black pepper. Freshly ground is always best, if you have it!

How to Prepare Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, here comes the fun part! Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying a steaming bowl of Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup in no time. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks!

Browning the Beef for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

First things first, turn your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting. Now, this is important: let the pot heat up! It usually takes a few minutes; you’ll see it says “Hot” on the display. While it’s heating, season your beef with just a pinch of that salt and pepper. Once the pot’s hot, add the olive oil. Then, brown the beef in batches – don’t overcrowd the pot, or it’ll steam instead of brown. We want that nice, golden-brown crust! Remove the browned beef to a clean plate and cover it to keep it warm. Trust me, browning makes a HUGE difference in flavor!

Sautéing the Vegetables for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Now, add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the Instant Pot. Season with another pinch of salt and pepper. Stir them around until they start to soften up a bit – about 5 minutes or so. Next, deglaze the pot by pouring in a little bit of the beef broth (maybe 1/2 cup) and scraping up any of those yummy browned bits from the bottom. That’s where a lot of the flavor lives, so don’t skip this step!

Pressure Cooking the Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Hit “Cancel” to turn off the Sauté function. Add the browned beef back into the pot. Then, pour in the rest of the beef broth and that Worcestershire sauce. Add the rinsed barley, and give it a quick stir just to make sure it’s mostly covered by the liquid. Now, gently place the diced tomatoes on top, but DON’T stir them in yet. Add the remaining salt, pepper, and dried parsley (or Italian seasoning). Place the lid on the Instant Pot, making sure the vent is set to “Sealing” (on some models). Hit “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual” on some models) and set the timer for 25 minutes. The pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure, and then it’ll start counting down.

Here’s a pro tip: Once the 25 minutes are up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. This means you don’t touch anything! After 10 minutes, carefully turn the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure. Be careful – steam will shoot out! Once the little silver pin drops, you can safely open the lid.

Finishing the Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

When the pot beeps, carefully remove the lid, tilting it away from you to avoid the steam. Give the soup a good stir. If you want, stir in some fresh parsley for a pop of freshness (I highly recommend it!). And that’s it! Ladle your delicious Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup into bowls and serve it up!

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Tips for the Best Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Want to take your Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup from good to AMAZING? I’ve got you covered! Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way to make sure it’s perfect every time.

Adjusting the Seasoning in Your Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Taste, taste, TASTE! Once the soup’s done, give it a good stir and take a spoonful. Does it need more salt? A little extra pepper? Maybe a pinch of garlic powder? Don’t be afraid to experiment! Every broth is different, so you might need to tweak it to your liking. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!

Achieving the Perfect Thickness for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Some folks like a thinner soup, and some like it thick enough to stand a spoon in (okay, maybe not *that* thick!). If you prefer a thicker soup, it’s super easy to fix. Just mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the soup while it’s still hot, and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens up. Easy peasy!

Ingredient Swaps for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Don’t have pearl barley? No problem! You can use quick-cooking barley, but reduce the cooking time by about 5 minutes. Also, feel free to swap out the beef stew meat for chuck roast. Just cut it into bite-sized pieces and brown it the same way. Get creative and use what you have!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Let’s dive a little deeper into those ingredients, shall we? Sometimes you gotta make swaps, and that’s totally okay! Here’s the lowdown on getting the best flavor, even when you’re improvising.

Choosing the Right Beef for Your Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Stew meat is great because it’s already cut up, but sometimes it can be kinda…meh. My go-to is chuck roast! It gets SUPER tender in the Instant Pot. Just trim off any excess fat and cut it into bite-sized pieces. You could even use sirloin, but it won’t be quite as melt-in-your-mouth. Trust me on the chuck roast!

Barley Variations for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

I usually use pearl barley ’cause it’s easy to find. But did you know there’s also hulled barley? It’s more nutritious but takes longer to cook, so I don’t recommend it for this recipe. Quick-cooking barley works in a pinch, but the texture won’t be quite the same – it can get a bit mushy. Stick with pearl barley if you can!

Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Okay, so you’ve got this amazing Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup, but what do you serve WITH it? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are a few ideas to make it a complete meal:

Complementary Sides for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

First off, crusty bread is a MUST for dunking! I love a good sourdough or baguette. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is also great to balance out the richness of the soup. Or, if you’re feeling extra fancy, try a grilled cheese sandwich – pure comfort food heaven!

Storing and Reheating Your Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Made a big batch of this Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup? Awesome! Leftovers are your friend. Here’s how to keep that soup tasting just as amazing the next day (or even weeks later!).

Best Practices for Storing Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

For fridge storage, let the soup cool down a bit first (don’t leave it out for more than 2 hours, though!). Then, pop it into an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll happily hang out there for 3-4 days. Wanna freeze it? Cool it completely, then portion it out into freezer-safe bags or containers. Make sure to leave a little room at the top, ’cause liquids expand when frozen. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months!

Reheating Tips for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Reheating on the stovetop is my go-to. Just pour the soup into a pot and heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s nice and hot. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too! Just zap it in a microwave-safe bowl for a few minutes, stirring every minute or so, until it’s heated through. And that’s it! Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Got questions about making this Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup? I got you! Here are some of the most common things folks ask, so you can be a soup-makin’ pro!

Can I use frozen beef in Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup?

You *can* use frozen beef, but honestly, I don’t recommend it. It’ll release a lot of water while cooking, which can dilute the flavor of your soup. Plus, it might not brown as nicely. If you’re in a pinch, though, thaw it partially first and drain off any excess liquid before browning it in the Instant Pot.

How long does Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup last in the refrigerator?

Good news – this Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup keeps really well! You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I think it even tastes BETTER the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld together. Just reheat it thoroughly before serving!

Can I add other vegetables to Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup?

Absolutely! This soup is super versatile. Feel free to toss in other veggies you love. Potatoes (diced into small cubes) are a great addition, as are mushrooms. I’d add them when you add the carrots and celery, so they have time to cook through. Get creative and make it your own!

Nutritional Information for Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

Okay, let’s talk numbers! I know you’re probably curious about the nutritional info for this Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup. Just a heads-up, these are estimates! The exact numbers will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use (different brands, different cuts of beef, etc.). So, take this as a general guideline, okay?

I’m not a nutritionist or anything, but I use a recipe analyzer to get a rough idea. Just remember that it’s not an exact science! If you’re following a super strict diet or have specific health concerns, it’s always best to consult with a registered dietitian or a qualified healthcare professional. They can give you personalized advice based on your individual needs.

Enjoy Your Delicious Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup!

Alright, soup’s on! I hope you love this Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup as much as my family does. Seriously, let me know what you think! Leave a comment below and tell me how it turned out. Did you make any fun tweaks? I wanna hear all about it! And hey, if you’re feeling generous, give the recipe a rating – it helps other soup lovers find it! Don’t forget to share your yummy creations on social media too! Happy slurping!