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Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib

Shut out that cold weather and serve up a hearty bowl of this beef barley soup with prime rib. Tender bits of prime rib, hearty barley, paired complimentary vegetables for one delicious bowl of soup. 

Prime Rib Barley Soup

Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib

Smoked Prime rib is a staple in our home, especially around the holidays. While we don’t box prime rib into just a ‘holiday’ food, I do find that we always have plenty of prime rib leftover at that time of the year!

Our family is not huge on eating the same leftovers time and time again, so I am always working on ways that I can make my leftovers taste like something new. 

This beef barley soup is such a winner! You will love the vegetables loaded with tender bits of prime rib throughout. While it is great for using leftover prime rib, you might find yourself looking forward to the next day soup more than day one prime rib! 

More Easy Traeger Recipes here!

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Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib

What if you don’t have any leftover prime rib laying around?

If you are looking for that no-fuss toss-and-cook type of meal, give this easy barley soup recipe a try. If you don’t have any prime rib leftover, feel free to substitute ground beef, leftover steak, or leftover pot roast. I’ve even used leftover brisket in this soup!

More Traeger Beef Recipes here!

Can you freeze beef barley soup?

Absolutely! 

For best results, allow your soup to cool down and place in a freezer friendly container whether it be a freezer bag or airtight container. You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months.

For quick lunches, freeze in individual serving sizes!

To reheat, just toss it in the fridge the night before, and then put in the slow cooker to warm up or stove top. Grab bowls and serve up a satisfying bowl of soup that tastes just as good as the first time. 

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Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib

What’s the best container to freeze soup in?

There are many options available out there, and I will share some of the top ways to freeze soup. 

Sealable Freezer Bags | You can buy these anywhere. Just ladle in the soup, try and remove all the air, and lay flat. This is a great way to use minimal space in your freezer.

Glass Jar or Bowl | Whether you want to freeze for single servings or a big pot, glassware is always nice. Just make sure to leave room for the soup to expand as it freezes. 

Plastic Freezer Containers | Plastic containers are an affordable option that works great for keeping your soup safe as you save it back. You can find whatever size you want, toss the soup in, and freeze away until you are ready to serve for safe keeping. 

How much soup we have left directly impacts how I store it. If I know there isn’t much; I make single servings of the soup. That way on busy days, I can grab a container and heat it up for a quick lunch while the kids are at school. 

If I think there is enough for the whole family, I store in a larger container and use it for a fast meal down the line. Label it! You think you remember, but if you are anything like me – you definitely won’t. 

See our Leftover Roast Beef recipes here!

Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib

How long with this soup last in the fridge?

You can keep your soup in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I gauge what we will eat and the rest I toss in the freezer. I don’t like keeping leftovers in the fridge for very long, so around two days we either eat them up or I toss it out.

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Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib

Reader Reviews!

Made this with our leftover prime rib bones & meat. Best beef barley soup I have ever had/ made!! The flavor is wonderful and it comes together quickly if you have the bone broth made ahead of time. I will be making this again and again! Love, love love!

– Sheri G

Sooo good! I used leftover beef ribs that were dry-rubbed, just put the bones and all into boiling water for about an hour, then followed the recipe. Would make again.

~Dana

This is the most delicious soup I have ever had ! I make soup every week for a group of people and this is amazing ! This is a great base recipe that you can make your own depending on what you like & what you have in your pantry. I added a few different ingredients and it was marvelous.

~Ann

This soup is so worth making !!! my family called it ” dangerous ” cause they kept going back for more. Gave some to other family members to try and they loved it also . The only thing I added was turnip.

~Julie

Prime Rib Barley Soup
Yield: 12 servings

Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib

Beef Barley Soup with Prime Rib

Shut out that cold weather and serve up a hearty bowl of this beef barley soup with prime rib. Tender bits of prime rib, hearty barley, paired complimentary vegetables for one delicious bowl of soup.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 stick salted butter
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 2 cups diced carrots
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 clove garlic, diced
  • 2 quarts homemade beef broth
  • 4 cups chopped prime rib
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
  • 1 cup barley

Instructions

  1. Place the butter into a large Dutch oven over medium heat, and let melt.
  2. Add in the celery, carrots, and onion. Let cook for 5-6 minutes, until softened and starting to brown.
  3. Add in the garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
  4. Add in the beef broth, prime rib, red wine, ground thyme, and barley.
  5. Simmer over medium heat until the barley is tender. Serve with crusty bread and green salad.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 392Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 702mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 20g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

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Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

Joanna

Saturday 6th of April 2024

Made this tonight with leftover prime rib we had in the freezer. Added a parsnip and fresh thyme sprigs. Cooked in the instant pot for 30 minutes on high pressure. Great recipe to use leftovers!

Nicole Johnson

Saturday 6th of April 2024

Oh that sounds incredible! Love the addition of parsnip. Thanks for sharing!

Sally

Saturday 3rd of February 2024

This soup looks so YUMMY!!! I can't wait to try it. Can I substitute white rice for the barley, and how much dry rice should I use?

Nicole Johnson

Saturday 3rd of February 2024

I haven't tried subbing in white rice for barley. Personally, since rice doesn't hold up as well in leftovers of soup, I'd just steam it and serve it with the soup instead of mixing it in. People can put individual scoops of rice into a bowl and then top with the soup. Hope that helps!

Georgine

Saturday 6th of January 2024

I added my left over bones to 8 cups of water/better than bullion with some other seasonings and let simmer for an hour while I chopped/sautéed veggies. I then pulled the bones out and added the veggies, wine, thyme, barley and simmered for an hour. I only tossed in the left over diced prime rib at the end so it would not be over cooked or tough. Oh and I added a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce and Johnny’s French dip au jus concentrate to the broth for some extra flavor. Yum

Nicole Johnson

Saturday 6th of January 2024

Sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

Bill

Wednesday 3rd of January 2024

Looking forward to it… tried to determine if simmering should be done covered or not… couldn’t find a comment and recipe didn’t state so I’m assuming not

Nicole Johnson

Wednesday 3rd of January 2024

You can do it either way. Uncovered will allow for more evaporation, so it really depends on how intense you want your stock to be.

Brian

Saturday 25th of November 2023

Fantastic recipe, I really appreciate the simplicity which easily allows for customization to taste.

Great job Nicole, thanks for sharing.

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