Soup, beef barley, ready to serve
FDC 174073cup (208 g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Density 35 · +25 vs Soups & sauces medianThis ready-to-serve beef barley soup scores 35 of 100, a Low band placement that actually ranks 9th of 60 soups and sauces, well above the category median of just 10. No single nutrient in it clears a standout percentage; its position comes instead from a light, balanced profile at only 52 calories per 100 g.
It is a canned, heat-and-eat lunch or light dinner option, with a cup (208 g) forming a standard bowl alongside bread or a side salad. Sodium sits at a moderate 297 mg per 100 g for a canned soup, and sugar is minimal at 1.22 g, making it a fairly plain, unremarkable choice rather than a concentrated source of any one nutrient.
See how this score is calculated, build a plate around soup, beef barley, or compare it with another food.
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 52 kcal | 3% |
| Total fat | 0.96 g | 1% |
| Saturated fat | 0.33 g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 4 mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 297 mg | 13% |
| Carbohydrate | 7.9 g | 3% |
| Dietary fiber | 0.9 g | 3% |
| Sugars | 1.2 g | |
| Protein | 2.8 g | 6% |
| Potassium | 121 mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 11 mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.45 mg | 3% |
| Magnesium | 9 mg | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 0.5 mg | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 14 µg | 2% |
| Vitamin E | 0.12 mg | 1% |
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 108 kcal | 5% |
| Total fat | 2 g | 3% |
| Saturated fat | 0.68 g | 3% |
| Cholesterol | 8.3 mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 618 mg | 27% |
| Carbohydrate | 17 g | 6% |
| Dietary fiber | 1.9 g | 7% |
| Sugars | 2.5 g | |
| Protein | 5.8 g | 12% |
| Potassium | 252 mg | 5% |
| Calcium | 23 mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.94 mg | 5% |
| Magnesium | 19 mg | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1 mg | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 29 µg | 3% |
| Vitamin E | 0.25 mg | 2% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
FDC 174073Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Versus the soups & sauces median
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
More nutrient-dense swaps
Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.
Fish brothDensity 38 vs 35Soup, chili beef, canned, condensedDensity 39 vs 35Sauce, sofrito, prepared from recipeDensity 41 vs 35Original analysis by NutriVerdict
In the kitchen and how to use it
Beef barley soup is a hearty, ready-to-serve soup built from chunks of beef, chewy barley grains, and diced vegetables like carrots and celery simmered in a savory broth. It is meant to be heated on the stovetop or in a microwave straight from the can or container, often served with a side of crusty bread or crackers for a simple lunch or light dinner. The barley gives the broth a slightly thick, starchy body compared to a clear beef broth, while the beef pieces add chew and savoriness throughout.
Once opened, refrigerate leftover soup and reheat it gently rather than at a hard boil, which helps keep the beef from toughening further. At just 52 calories per 100 g, it is a genuinely low-calorie way to add volume to a meal, with a full cup (208 g) still landing modestly on the calorie count. It does carry 297 mg of sodium per 100 g, worth checking against the rest of the day's meals, and its 2.81 g of protein and 0.9 g of fiber per 100 g are light, so it works best as a starter or light lunch alongside bread or a sandwich rather than the sole component of a meal.
Frequently asked questions about soup, beef barley
How many calories are in beef barley soup?
This ready-to-serve beef barley soup has just 52 calories per 100 g, making a full cup (208 g) still relatively low in calories.
Is beef barley soup high in sodium?
It contains 297 mg of sodium per 100 g, which is worth factoring in if pairing it with other salty foods like crackers or bread.
What goes well with beef barley soup?
Crusty bread, crackers, or a simple side salad round it out into a fuller light meal.