CAMPBELL'S CHUNKY, Hearty Beef Barley Soup
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
This is a hearty, savory canned soup featuring tender chunks of beef and chewy pearl barley in a rich, seasoned broth. It delivers a comforting, umami-forward flavor with a satisfying, stew-like texture. Notably, it's a low-calorie option (56 kcal/100g) that provides a modest protein boost from the beef.
Calorie split: 21% protein · 64% carbs · 15% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its deeply satisfying, savory beef flavor and the hearty, chewy texture of the barley, which makes it feel like a complete, comforting meal. It's a nostalgic, convenient classic for quick lunches or cold days.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Canned soups like this are typically high in sodium, which can be a concern for blood pressure. The refined carbohydrates from the barley and added sugars (1.17g/100g) may cause blood-sugar spikes for some. To counteract, pair it with a side salad or extra vegetables to add volume and fiber, and be mindful of portion size if watching salt intake.
Key benefits
- Low-calorie meal or starter option
- Provides protein from beef
- Contains dietary fiber from barley
- Convenient shelf-stable pantry staple
- Offers comforting, warm texture
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Pearl barley, the grain in this soup, is a 'pearled' form of hulled barley, where the outer bran layer is polished off, giving it a quicker cooking time and softer texture.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 86.2 g |
| Energy | 56.0 kcal |
| Energy | 233 kj |
| Protein | 2.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.92 g |
| Ash | 0.98 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 9.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.2 g |
| Sucrose | 0.67 g |
| Glucose | 0.20 g |
| Fructose | 0.30 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 4.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 10.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.49 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 55.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 129 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 308 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.54 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.10 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.80 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.09 mg |
| Niacin | 1.0 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.21 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.09 mg |
| Folate, total | 12.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 12.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.17 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 81.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 27.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 157 iu |
| Lycopene | 229 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 49.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.08 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.38 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.23 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.38 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.34 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 0.30 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.14 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.04 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.03 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 4.0 mg |
FAQ
Is this soup a good source of protein?
It provides a moderate amount of protein (2.89g per 100g) from the beef, making it a contributing source but not a high-protein food on its own. It's best paired with other protein sources for a balanced meal.
Can I use this as a base for other recipes?
Absolutely. Its robust beef and barley base is perfect for stretching into a larger meal by adding extra vegetables, beans, or noodles.
Is the barley in this soup whole grain?
It uses pearl barley, which is a processed form of whole barley where the bran is removed. While it retains some fiber and nutrients, it is not considered a whole grain in the same way as hulled barley.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.56 kcal/g · 21% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 1.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.39 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.