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Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew is a warm, hearty meal that is both delicious and nutritious. Made with tender chunks of beef, chewy pearl barley, fresh vegetables, and a savory broth, this soup is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make in your Instant Pot, and can even be turned into a freezer meal for next time! Pressure cooker Beef and Barley Soup is a perfect meal for the whole family.

Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew in a bowl, IP in back.

Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew

With the rise of Instant Pot popularity in recent years, it’s no wonder that this recipe has become a staple for many home cooks.

This delicious soup is the perfect comfort food for a cold Winter day, or in the Fall when soup season is in full swing!

Need a hearty Game Day soup? Look no further than this Instant Pot beef barley stew recipe!

This article contains a step-by-step guide on how to make Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew.

wood spoon with instant pot beef stew in it.

This flavorful soup recipe is versatile, healthy, and easy to customize to suit your preferences.

Best of all, it is incredibly satisfying and filling, and done in a fraction of the time as on the stove top, making it the perfect meal to serve your family or guests.

photo of ingredients for Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew on a cutting board.

What ingredients are in Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew?

This Instant Pot Beef Stew recipe calls for a variety of ingredients to make a flavorful and hearty stew. Here are the main ingredients you will need:
• Olive Oil
• Beef Chuck Roast or Stewing Beef
• Seasoned Salt • Steak Seasoning (such as Montreal Steak® seasoning)
• Yellow Onion • Celery
• Bay Leaves • Garlic Cloves (or minced jarred)
• Beef Broth (or low sodium beef stock or chicken stock)
• Fresh Thyme Leaves (or dried thyme leaves)
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Pearl Barley (not quick cooking)
• Carrots • Potatoes – I use red potatoes. Use what you have.
• Balsamic Vinegar (or use red wine, such as merlot)
• Salt and Black Pepper
Optional:
• Tomato Paste (optional)
• Fresh Mushrooms or Canned Mushrooms (optional)
• Green Beans (optional)
• Fresh Parsley (optional)

What is Pearl Barley?

Pearl barley (or pearled barley) is a cereal grain. It is a type of barley, which is a member of the grass family (Poaceae). Other common cereal grains include wheat, rice, corn, oats, and rye.
Pearl barley has been processed to remove its tough outer hull and polished to give it a pearled appearance. This process results in a grain that is easier to cook and has a shorter cooking time than hulled barley, which retains its outer hull. Pearl barley is often used in soups, stews, and salads.

Can I use quick-cooking barley instead of pearl barley?

It’s not recommended, as quick-cooking barley will become more mushy during the cooking process. Pearl barley is sturdier and can hold up to pressure cooking.
 

Can I leave the Barley Out?

Yes, just omit the barley and make the recipe as written.

Instructions for Making Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew:

beef in pot, adding spices to beef.
1. Gather and prep all of the ingredients; chop the meat into slightly larger than bite-sized cubes, chop the vegetables, rinse the barley, measure the spices, etc. 
2. Turn on the Sauté setting. When the pot is hot, add the oil, then add half of the meat in a single layer. Sprinkle half of the seasoned salt and steak seasoning over the meat and brown it on both sides, but don’t cook it all the way through.

cooking beef in pot, onion, celery, bay leaves in pot.
3. Remove the meat to a bowl and repeat with the other half.
4. Add the onion, celery, and bay leaves to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften. Add a small amount of olive oil if needed.

adding garlic to pot, adding beef back to pot.
5. Add the garlic and cook a minute, stirring.
6. Cancel the sauté setting. Then add the beef and any liquid from the bowl to the pot.

pouring beef broth to pot, adding thyme to pot.
7. Add the beef broth and the thyme leaves.

adding worcestershire sauce to stew, adding barley to stew.
8. Add Worcestershire sauce. 
9. Add the barley to the pot.

stirring the stew, adding carrots.
10. Give a good stir.
11. Add the carrots.

adding potatoes, pressing veggies down with wood spoon.
12. Add the potatoes and press them down into the broth with a wooden spoon.

pressing tomato paste into broth, stirring stew after cooking.
13. If using the tomato paste, add it and press it into the broth, but do not stir.
14. Close the lid, seal it, and pressure cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, with a 15 minute natural release. Then vent the remaining pressure and open the lid carefully.

removing bay leaves, adding balsamic vinegar to stew.
15. Remove the bay leaves and discard them.
16. Add the balsamic vinegar, if using. Stir the beef stew and then taste and add salt and pepper to taste. My preference is at least 1 teaspoon of salt, but do taste it before adding any. 
17. Serve the stew hot with some crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Recipe Note:
*To make this recipe even faster, you can skip browning the beef and simply add it to the pot with the other ingredients. However, browning the beef will add more depth of flavor to the beef stew.

Here are Some Tips to Make the Perfect InstaPot Beef Barley Stew

These are some easy tips for making the Best Beef Barley Soup in the Instant Pot.

Use beef chuck roast or stew meat for tender pieces of beef. You can also use cooked chicken breast or leftover roast chicken instead of beef (add after pressure cooking). 
Brown the beef in two batches for the best flavor. This will also help create those flavorful browned bits that will add depth to your stew. Be sure to scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pot when you add the liquid, as this will add even more flavor. 
Use natural release: When the cooking time is up, it’s best to let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes. This will prevent the stew meat from becoming dry and will help produce tender beef.
Add the tomato paste last before pressure cooking, and don’t stir it. This will help prevent burning on the bottom of the pot. 
If you don’t have a flavorful beef broth, you can use chicken stock instead. 
Adjust seasoning to taste: Once the beef stew is finished cooking, be sure to taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or other herbs and spices to suit your preferences.
For a vegetarian version of this stew, use vegetable broth and substitute the beef with mushrooms, canned beans, or tofu. 
Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can add more or less salt, pepper, herbs, and Worcestershire sauce depending on your taste preference.

bowl of beef stew.

Here are some possible substitutions you can make in this Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew recipe:

Beef chuck roast: You can substitute with beef stew meat (stewing beef) or beef round roast, sirloin or flank steak cut into cubes.
Pearl barley: If you don’t have pearl barley, you can use other grains such as farro, spelt, or brown rice, or wheat berries. Adjust the cooking time according to the grain you use.
Beef broth: You can substitute with chicken stock or vegetable broth or stock. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Worcestershire sauce: If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, you can use soy sauce instead.
Balsamic vinegar: If you don’t have balsamic vinegar, you can use red wine, such as merlot.
Vegetables: If you don’t have carrots, celery, or potatoes, you can use parsnips, turnips, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and/or green beans, or you can use other vegetables. You can also add frozen vegetables for convenience. Cook time for the veggies will vary.
Fresh thyme: You can use dried thyme instead. Use ½ of the amount of fresh thyme called for in the recipe.
Garlic: You can use garlic powder or jarred minced garlic or paste instead of fresh garlic. Use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove of garlic called for in the recipe.
Tomato paste: If you don’t have tomato paste, you can use drained canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce instead. Adjust the amount to your liking.

Note that substitutions may affect the taste, texture, and cooking time of the recipe.

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Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew in pot

Can I substitute chicken broth for beef broth?

Yes, you can use chicken broth if you prefer. It will give the stew a slightly different flavor, but it will still be delicious.
 

How long does beef stew take to cook in the Instant Pot?

The cook time is 20 minutes on high pressure, but the total cooking time will be longer due to browning the meat and cooking the vegetables, as well as the time it takes for the pot to come to pressure and for the pressure to release naturally. Plan for about 1 ½ hours from start to finish.
 

Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can make this recipe on the stove top in a Dutch oven. Follow the same instructions for browning the meat and vegetables, only do so in the Dutch oven. Then add the remaining ingredients and simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours or until the meat and vegetables are tender.
 

Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker instead of an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can. For crock pot beef barley stew, just follow the same instructions for browning the meat and vegetables, but you will use a skillet. Then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on high for 6-8 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.

closeup of bowl of Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew.

What can I serve with instant pot beef barley soup recipe?

This hearty soup is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with a side salad or some steamed green beans for extra nutrition. Some crusty bread or biscuits would also be great for dipping in the flavorful broth.
 

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.

Can I freeze this beef stew for later?

Yes, you can turn this Instant Pot beef barley stew into a freezer meal. Let the stew cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.

If you love to cook with your electric pressure cooker, check out my collection of over 300 original, delicious Instant Pot Recipes, and over 75 Instant Pot Soup Recipes.

Resources to Make This Recipe and More

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What is an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot® is a brand of electric pressure cooker that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more into one convenient appliance. It allows you to cook meals quickly and easily, without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

The recipe for Instant Pot Beef Barley Stew used in this blog post is an original creation by the author and does not have a specific source. However, it is inspired by traditional beef barley soup recipes and adapted for the Instant Pot pressure cooker.