Beef Recipes

Rich Beef Barley Soup Recipe

Recipe Disclaimer: Nutritional information is provided as a general estimate only. Actual values may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and cooking methods. Always check ingredient labels for allergen information.

For a bowl of hearty comfort, cook up Ina Garten's Rich Beef Barley Soup recipe, made with meaty oxtail bones, fresh veggies and herbs, from Barefoot Contessa on Recipe Iseasy.

Rich Beef Barley Soup Recipe
  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Nutritional Information Per Serving (Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings)
    Calories: 560
    Total Fat: 27 g
    Saturated Fat: 11 g
    Carbohydrates: 39 g
    Dietary Fiber: 8 g
    Sugar: 5 g
    Protein: 39 g
    Cholesterol: 109 mg
    Sodium: 1631 mg
  • Total Time: 2 hr 35 min
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 2 hr 20 min

Whip up this hearty, soul-warming Oxtail Barley Soup that's perfect for cozy eveningsrich, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to make!

  • 1 tablespoon quality olive oil
  • 2 pounds beef oxtails
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 cups chopped leeks (white and light green parts, about 2 leeks)
  • 2 cups diced carrots (1/2-inch pieces, approximately 4 carrots)
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced celery (1/2-inch pieces, 2 stalks)
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 10 cups canned beef broth
  • 1 cup pearled barley

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) NEW: You can now switch to Cook Mode to keep your screen active.

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven like Le Creuset. Season oxtails with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, then brown evenly over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  2. To the flavorful fat, add leeks, carrots, onion, celery, and garlic. Saut over medium heat for 10 minutes until veggies soften and brown. Tie thyme sprigs with kitchen twine, add to pot with bay leaves. Return oxtails, pour in broth, and season with another teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 1 hour. Discard thyme and bay leaves; skim off fat.
  3. Meanwhile, boil 4 cups water in a separate pot. Add barley and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Drain and reserve.
  4. Stir cooked barley into the soup; simmer 15-20 more minutes until tender. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hotoxtails optional for a lighter bowl!

Reprinted from Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?, Copyright 2010 by Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter/Publisher. All rights reserved.

RecipeIsEasy Editorial Team

RecipeIsEasy Editorial Team

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Our team of passionate home cooks and professional chefs test every recipe to ensure it's easy to follow, delicious, and reliable. We believe great food should be accessible to everyone.

Tested & reviewed by the RecipeIsEasy Kitchen Team

🍽️ Important Recipe Notice

The recipes and nutritional information provided on RecipeIsEasy.com are intended for general informational and educational purposes only. Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on the specific brands or types of ingredients used.

If you have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or specific health conditions, please consult a qualified dietitian or healthcare professional before preparing or consuming any recipe from this site. Never disregard professional dietary advice because of content you have read here.

Food safety is important — always follow safe food handling and cooking practices. When in doubt about ingredient substitutions or storage, consult a food safety authority.

Chuckwagon Beef Stew Recipe

Get Chuckwagon Beef Stew Recipe from Recipe Iseasy

How Much Seasoning Per Pound of Ground Beef for Burgers

Learn how much seasoning per pound of ground beef for burgers to achieve perfect flavor without over‑salting, and tips.

Easy Indian Beef Curry Recipe – Simple, Flavorful, Fast

Easily whip up an Indian beef curry recipe easy, ready in under 45 minutes—flavorful, one‑pot, perfect with rice or naan.

Best Thai Beef Curry Recipe – Quick, Authentic, Tasty

Make the best Thai beef curry recipe in 30 minutes: tender beef, red curry paste, creamy coconut milk, sweet‑salty‑spicy balance.

Petite Steaks with Wild Rice Baby Peppers Recipe

Get Petite Steaks with Wild Rice Baby Peppers Recipe from Recipe Iseasy

Skirt Steak and Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Get Skirt Steak and Sweet Potato Fries Recipe from Recipe Iseasy

Steak Oscar with Stone Crab and Breezy Béarnaise Sauce Recipe

Get Steak Oscar with Stone Crab and Breezy Béarnaise Sauce Recipe from Recipe Iseasy

Creamy Garlic Sauce for Steak: Rich & Easy Recipe

Whip up creamy garlic sauce for steak in under 10 minutes with butter, heavy cream, and garlic—great on steak, pasta, or veggies.

Spanish Pork Tenderloin Roulade Recipe

Get Spanish Pork Tenderloin Roulade Recipe from Recipe Iseasy

Beef Pot Pies Recipe

Get Beef Pot Pies Recipe from Recipe Iseasy

Recipeiseasy.com

Your trusted source for cooking tips, answers, and tasty recipes. Make cooking easier and more enjoyable every time!

Email Us: contact@recipeiseasy.com

Copyright ©2025 RecipeIsEasy. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without prior written permission.