German Beef Barley Soup Recipe – Oma's Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch (2024)

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German Beef Barley Soup Recipe – Oma's Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch (1)

by: Gerhild Fulson / Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

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Make this beef barley soup recipe, Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch, when you need some real stick-to-your-ribs kind of German comfort food. Easy to change up and use what you have in your fridge.

Once you learned how to make soup and how to cook barley, this is a super comfort food recipe to make. Barley, akaGraupenin German, is a very healthy grain to incorporate into your diet.

German Beef Barley Soup Recipe – Oma's Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch (4)

Barley is similar in taste and texture to brown rice. A really great alternative. This is one of those beef soup recipes that is SO delicious!

What's the difference between pot barley and pearl barley?

In German, that would be, what's the difference between Gersten and Graupen?

Although both pot barley and pearl barley look and taste similar, once they are cooked, the differences are obvious. Actually, in cooking them, the first difference is the cooking time required.

The pot barley will take about twice as long as the pearl barley, 50 minutes compared to 25 minutes. If you soak the pot barley first, it will cook quicker, but you lose some of the chewiness.

The pot barley is less processed than the pearl one, so it is more nutritious, making it the perfect choice for cooking when time isn't of the essence.

This grain has a delicious, subtle, and slightly nutty flavor similar to brown rice and really can be substituted in most dishes calling for brown rice.

A bit of this and a bit of that ...

  • Want a different soup? Add a can of diced tomatoes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  • You can use any cut of beef for this. Trim the excess fat and remove anycartilage.
  • If you wish, you can add 1 cup of frozen peas at the end. Stir until the heat of the soup thaws the peas and serve.
  • It's best when you brown the meat first, but even that step can be eliminated if you're in a hurry.However, browning the meat does add a great flavor to the broth.

Hummus?

Yep. Hummus. Sylvie, my daughter-in-law, shares that hummus is delicious in thisto add extra zing. Her easy hummus recipeis so quick to make and it's becoming wildly popular in Germany. Try it. I think you'll like it too!

Oma Says:

Put the kettle on to boil when you first start making the soup. That way, when it's time to add the water, you can add boiling hot water. Makes it faster for the resulting soup to come to simmering point.

Ready to make this beef barley soup?

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German Beef Barley Soup Recipe – Oma's Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch (7)

German Beef Barley Soup Recipe – Oma's Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch

Make this beef barley soup recipe, Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch, when you need some real stick-to-your-ribs kind of German comfort food. Easy to change up and use what you have in your fridge.

Barley is a very healthy grain to incorporate into your diet.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

115 minutes

Total Time

125 minutes

Servings:

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound bottom round steak
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 7½ cups water
  • bouillon cubes (Check package. Use enough for 5 cups liquid)
  • ⅔ cup pot barley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • freshly ground pepper
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • ¼ cup chopped onion

Instructions:

  1. Cut the beef into ½-inch cubes.
  2. In a large stock pot, brown the beef in the olive. Stir in water (preferably hot or boiling), bouillon cubes, barley, salt, bay leaves, and some freshly ground pepper.
  3. Bring to boil. Cover, reducing heat to a simmer.
  4. Simmer about 1 hour.
  5. Add celery, carrots, and onions.
  6. Cover and continue to simmer for about 45 minutes until the meat and vegetables are tender.
  7. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Remove bay leaves.

* * * * *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

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German Beef Barley Soup Recipe – Oma's Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch (19)

Oma's Beef Barley Soup Recipe ~ Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch

By Oma Gerhild Fulson
German Beef Barley Soup Recipe – Oma's Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch (20)
Make this beef barley soup recipe, Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch, when you need some real stick-to-your-ribs kind of German comfort food. Easy to change up and use what you have in your fridge.

Ingredients: bottom round steak,oil,bouillon,barley,seasonings,celery,carrots,onion,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Words to the Wise

"Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot."

Proverbs 26:8 (NLT)

Top of Beef Barley Soup Recipe

German Beef Barley Soup Recipe – Oma's Gerstensuppe mit Rindfleisch (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade beef barley soup last in the fridge? ›

Store leftover beef barley soup in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat either in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between, or on the stovetop over medium heat. You can also store your leftovers in the freezer up to 6 months.

How fattening is beef barley soup? ›

There are 108 calories in a 1 cup (208.000g) serving size of Soup, beef barley, ready to serve. The calorie breakdown is 17% fat, 61% carbs, and 22% protein.

Is barley soup bad for you? ›

Whole grains, such as barley, are healthy additions to most diets. However, people with celiac disease or other intolerances to wheat should refrain from barley. Those who take blood-sugar-lowering medications should use caution.

Should barley be soaked before adding to soup? ›

Pearl barley does not need to be soaked prior to cooking because it cooks quickly. Hulled barley benefits from soaking in water for a few hours before cooking. However, you should still budget more time for the hulled grain to cook (about 35 to 40 minutes).

What does barley do to your body? ›

As a whole grain, barley provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients may enhance heart health, help prevent cancer, reduce inflammation, and more. Consuming a diet rich in whole grains may help reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and other chronic health concerns.

How can you tell if barley has gone bad? ›

If the grains are sticky, slimy, or have a chewy texture when dry, they have likely absorbed moisture, leading to spoilage. Barley that is past its prime may not only taste off but might also have an undesirable texture when cooked.

Is barley soup anti inflammatory? ›

Research shows that barley helps to regulate blood pressure, boost immunity and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

Is barley good or bad for weight loss? ›

Encourages weight loss. Barley prompts the body to release hormones that regulate appetite by making the person feel fuller for longer. These hormones may also boost the metabolism, which can contribute to weight loss.

Is barley soup good for high blood pressure? ›

The fiber in barley might lower cholesterol and blood pressure in people with high cholesterol. Barley may also reduce blood sugar and insulin levels. Barley seems to slow stomach emptying.

Who should not take barley? ›

Finally, those who have celiac disease or a sensitivity to gluten should exercise caution when purchasing barley grass products. Although gluten is only found in the seeds of the barley grain, there's a risk of cross-contamination.

What are the side effects of too much barley? ›

However, if you consume too much of it, its fiber content can cause stomach cramps, constipation, bloating, and gas. Unwanted weight gain. Barley water is high in calories per serving. You can further increase the calorie count if you add fruit juices or sweeteners like honey to your barley water mix.

Which is healthier barley or oatmeal? ›

Depending on what you're looking for in your diet, they certainly stack up differently, but in most cases, barley beats oatmeal to the nutrition punch. Besides helping make you feel full, fiber keeps you regular and helps maintain the health of your GI (gastrointestinal) tract.

What happens if you don't rinse barley before cooking? ›

There is no need to rinse barley before using it. To enhance the flavor of barley, heat the kernels in a skillet for a few minutes or cook it in broth instead of water. You can save time by cooking extra barley and freezing it. Add it to soups or salads as you need it.

How can I thicken my beef barley soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

What if I put too much barley in my soup? ›

As barley is a starch the best you can do is dilute it, or thin it out a bit. You may need to add a fair bit of broth and more of your vegetal ingredients. Possibly to the point of doubling your recipe. It will depend on when you find the taste and texture to have gotten back to acceptable levels.

Can you eat homemade soup after 5 days? ›

A general rule of thumb is that soup can be stored in the refrigerator for about three days, but you should always taste your dish before deciding to reheat. A clear, vegetable-based soup with some acidity, such as tomatoes, may last longer. Chicken soup usually lasts three to five days.

Can I eat soup that has been in the fridge for a week? ›

According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that. Some foods should be even be thrown away before the 7 day mark.

Will homemade soup last a week in the fridge? ›

Like other leftover foods, homemade soup can safely be stored in the fridge for three to four days, per standard guidance from the USDA. This includes soups and stews that contain fish, meat, and poultry.

How long can you keep homemade soup in the refrigerator before it goes bad? ›

For best safety and quality, plan to eat refrigerated soup within 3 to 4 days or freeze it. And avoid letting soup set at room temperature for more than TWO hours.

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