The Best Sandwiches to Pair with Beef Barley Soup for a Hearty Meal

There’s nothing quite like a piping hot bowl of beef barley soup on a chilly day The rich, savory broth filled with tender beef, hearty barley, and colorful veggies truly hits the spot But while the soup alone makes a satisfying meal, sometimes you want something extra to really fill up. That’s where the perfect sandwich comes in!

A great sandwich paired with beef barley soup makes for a meal that is comforting and delicious. The contrasts of textures and flavors complement each other wonderfully. So what kind of sandwich should you choose for your beef barley soup meal? There are lots of tasty options, but here are some of my favorite pairings

Grilled Cheese

You can’t go wrong with the classic grilled cheese sandwich alongside a bowl of beef barley soup. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the buttery toasted bread encasing the oozy, gooey cheese is a delightful contrast to the thick, chunky soup.

For the best grilled cheese, use good quality bread like sourdough or rye. Thick slices of cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of cheeses work well. I like to add a slice of tomato for an extra pop of flavor. Grill the sandwich in a skillet with butter or mayo for crispy edges and a perfectly melted interior. The rich, indulgent grilled cheese helps balance the hardy, savory notes of the soup.

French Dip

For a sandwich pairing with more protein, a French dip is a fantastic choice. Thinly sliced roast beef (I prefer top round or sirloin) on a crusty baguette piled high with melted provolone cheese and served with a side of beef au jus for dipping makes for a delicious, messy meal. The tender beef and melted cheese complement the hunks of beef in the soup, while the creamy broth helps soften the crispy baguette.

Be sure to buy a good quality roast and slice it paper thin. Use lots of seasoning on the beef to amp up the flavor. Slow roasting it to medium rare helps keep it extra tender. For the bread, a crusty French baguette is ideal. Dip it in the leftover broth from making your soup for extra beefy flavor.

Turkey & Bacon

For a lighter sandwich pairing, try a hot turkey and bacon sandwich. Thinly sliced turkey breast, crispy bacon, melty Swiss cheese, tomato, and lettuce on whole wheat bread is a tasty combo. You still get the smoky, savory flavors to match the soup, but with less heft.

Look for good quality deli turkey breast and bake the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy. Use bread that has some substance to stand up to the soup, like whole wheat sourdough. Piling it high with the turkey, bacon, tomato, and lettuce makes each bite extra delicious. The fresh cool crunch balances the thick hearty soup.

Italian Sub

If you want a sandwich pairing with big flavors, go for a loaded Italian sub. Layers of cured meats – salami, pepperoni, ham, mortadella – along with provolone, tomato, onion, banana peppers, lettuce, oil & vinegar, and Italian seasoning piled onto a soft Italian roll makes an incredible soup companion. Every bite is a flavor explosion that complements the deeply savory soup.

Seek out high quality cured meats from the deli counter. Slice them thin and layer them generously. Use a soft Italian sub roll that won’t overwhelm the fillings. Drizzle some olive oil and red wine vinegar over the veggies for a tangy flavor pop. The alternating textures of the soft roll and crisp veggies pair nicely with the hearty chunks in the soup.

Reuben

For an unexpected soup pairing, consider a Reuben sandwich. The classic combo of sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing grilled between slices of rye bread makes a deliciously unorthodox match for beef barley soup. The tangy sauerkraut, the sweet dressing, the peppery rye, and the tender corned beef combine for a flavorful contrast to the savory soup.

Quality is key for a great Reuben. Go for hand-sliced corned beef and fresh sauerkraut from the refrigerated section. Grill it up so the bread gets crispy and the cheese melty. The messiness of this sandwich paired with the thick, chunky soup makes for fun, flavorful meal.

Roast Beef & Cheddar

Here’s an easy, straightforward soup pairing that’s endlessly satisfying: roast beef and cheddar on crusty bread. Tender slices of rare roast beef layered with aged cheddar cheese, tomato, onion, lettuce, and a smear of horseradish mayo nestled between two slices of crusty French or ciabatta bread is comfort food at its finest.

The key is finding quality deli roast beef. Ask them to slice it extra thin. Aged cheddar adds a sharpness that offsets the richness of the soup perfectly. Spreading on some spicy horseradish mayo gives it a kick. And choosing a hearty artisan bread that can soak up the soup without falling apart completes the perfect beef barley soup sandwich pairing.

Pulled Pork

For a more informal sandwich pairing, pulled pork is a terrific choice. Tender shredded pork smothered in your favorite bbq sauce and piled high on a soft roll makes an awesome match for beef barley soup. The sweet and spicy flavors contrast nicely with the umami depths of the soup.

Use pork shoulder and slow cook it until fall-apart tender. Shred thoroughly and toss with your favorite regional bbq sauce – hickory smoked for North Carolina style or a thick, sweet tomato-based sauce for Kansas City style. Serve it up Southern style on soft white buns. The softness of the roll soaked in savory pork juices and sticky sauce balances the hearty chunks in the soup.

BLT

Sometimes simple is best. A classic BLT may seem too basic to pair with something as hearty as beef barley soup, but it’s a match made in heaven. The crispy, salty bacon, juicy tomato slices, and crunchy lettuce offer just the right fresh flavors and textures to complement the soup.

The key is using high quality ingredients. Look for thick cut pepper bacon and bake until perfectly crisp. Use fresh in-season tomatoes for optimal flavor and juice. Toast the bread to add a bit of crunch. The cool crispness of each BLT bite contrasts deliciously with the warm, thick soup. Comfort food at its finest!

Pastrami on Rye

Here’s another deli classic that pairs well with beef barley soup – pastrami on rye. Lean slices of brined, smoked pastrami layered on toasted rye bread spread with spicy mustard is an excellent match for the deeply savory soup. The peppery notes of the pastrami and mustard cut through the richness.

Find high quality pastrami, preferably hand sliced. Toasting the rye bread adds crunch to contrast the soft soup. Spread on some whole grain mustard for a tangy kick. Add some sliced pickles too if you like an extra acidic zing. The interplay of the smoky, peppery pastrami and the earthy, chunky soup is highly satisfying.

Barbecue Chicken

For a lighter pairing, try barbecue chicken on a roll. Boneless chicken thighs slathered in your favorite bbq sauce, roasted until tender and juicy, then shredded and served on a bun makes a tasty match for beef barley soup. The sweet, smoky flavors complement the soup nicely.

Go for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for optimum juice and flavor. Bake them low and slow in your favorite bbq sauce until fall-apart tender. Shred the meat and pile it high on soft rolls or buns. The succulent chicken soaked in sticky sweet sauce contrasts nicely with the hardy vegetables and beef in the soup.

Cuban

Here’s a sandwich pairing that may seem unexpected, but tastes amazing – the Cuban! Layers of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, pressed in a crusty Cuban roll is an indulgent match for beef barley soup. The citrusy notes of the pork and pickles cut through the rich soup beautifully.

Slow roast pork shoulder until meltingly tender, then slice thin. Ask for a good quality baked ham at the deli too. Press them together on a roll spread with mustard and dotted with pickles. The intermingling juices from the meats give an incredible depth of flavor that holds up nicely to the complex flavors of the soup. This sandwich pairing is an adventurous choice that definitely satisfies!

Philly Cheesesteak

For an indulgent, meaty pairing, try a Philly cheesesteak alongside your beef barley soup. Thin slices of seasoned steak, onions, peppers, and melted cheese stacked in a soft hoagie roll is pure deliciousness. The meat-on-meat pairing is deeply satisfying.

Choose a good cut of steak like ribeye and slice it paper thin across the grain. Cook the steak, onions, and peppers in a very hot skillet for maximum flavor. Pile it all into a soft hoagie roll and smother with melted cheese – provolone, Whiz, or cheese sauce. The combination of tender meat, sweet veggies, and gooey cheese makes an incredible counterpart to the hunks of beef in the hearty soup.

Meatball Sub

Along the same lines as a Philly cheesesteak, a meatball sub makes an indulgently tasty pairing for beef barley soup. Homemade meatballs simmered in tomato sauce and stuffed into a soft hoagie roll is comfort food perfection. The richness of the meatballs matches the soup beautifully.

Use a mix of beef and pork or veal for your meatballs. Bake them in the oven until cooked through then gently simmer in marinara sauce to soak up the flavors. Pile the meatballs into a soft sub roll and smother with melted mozzarella. The soft moist meatballs and fresh tomato sauce complement the deep savoriness of the soup wonderfully. This pairing is pure Mediterranean deliciousness!

Chicken Salad Sandwich

If you’re looking for something lighter to pair with your beef barley soup, a chicken salad sandwich really hits the spot. Chunky chicken salad made with shredded chicken, celery, onion, mayo, and seasoning, served between slices of toasted whole wheat bread is fresh and flavorsome. It provides a pleasant contrast to the thick, hearty soup.

Poach or bake boneless, skinless chicken breasts, let cool, then shred or dice. Toss with diced celery, onion, mayo, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread the chicken salad thickly on whole wheat bread and toast for a perfect crunchy complement to the steaming soup. The creaminess of the chicken salad balances beautifully with the deeply savory soup.

Roast Beef & Pepper Panini

Here’s a tasty hot sandwich pairing for your soup – roast beef and pepper panini! Thinly sliced rare roast beef, roasted red peppers, herbed goat cheese, and greens on crusty Italian bread, pressed hot in a panini maker is an indulgent delight. The richness and spice make a wonderful match for the soup.

Be sure to buy top round or other high quality roast beef and slice it paper thin. Roast your own peppers for the sweetest flavor. Spread on herbed goat cheese for a creamy, tangy note. Choose a crusty Italian bread that will hold up well when pressed. Let the panini maker work its magic to melt the cheese and meld the flavors. The combination of hot, melty flavors complements the hearty soup perfectly.

Chicken Gyro

For a Mediterranean style soup pairing, try chicken gyros. Marinated chicken strips, crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and tzatziki sauce wrapped in soft grilled pita bread offer bright, fresh flavors next to the deep savoriness of the soup. It’s a tasty lighter pairing.

Make a Greek marinade for the chicken using olive oil, lemon, oregano, and garlic. Grill up the chicken strips so they get nicely charred. Stuff them into pitas along with cool crunchy veggies, salty feta, and refreshing tzatziki sauce. The array of contrasting textures and bright, distinctive flavors create an excellent foil for the robust soup. It’s a fun, filling pairing.

Maple Turkey & Apple

Here’s a healthier take on a soup sandwich pairing – maple turkey and apple. Thin slices of maple glazed turkey breast paired with tart green apple slices, peppery arugula, and a schmear of grainy Dijon mustard on oat nut bread makes a delicious complement to beef barley soup. The sweet and savory flavors intermingle beautifully.

Find pre-glazed maple turkey at the deli or brush slices with pure maple syrup before baking. Choose a hearty oat bread and toast it to hold up well. Pile on the greens, sweet thin apple slices, and spicy mustard. The array of contrasting flavors and textures pair nicely with the deeply savory chunks in the soup. It’s a lighter, healthier soup sandwich pairing.

Caprese

For a vegetarian soup pairing, a Caprese sandwich really satisfies. Layers of creamy mozzarella, juicy tomato, fragrant basil, balsamic reduction and olive oil stacked between thick slices of crusty Italian bread is simple but oh so tasty next to the rich soup. The fresh ingredients really shine.

Seek out fresh mozzarella, beefsteak tomatoes, and basil with a nice fragrance. Drizzle with good olive oil and reduced balsamic for some tang. Choose a nice crusty ciabatta or focaccia for bread. Let the top slice soak up all the delicious juices. The array of flavors and textures pairs beautifully with the thick, hearty soup for a lighter but very flavorful meal.

As you can see, the options for great sandwiches to pair with beef barley soup are nearly endless! From hearty classics like French Dip and Reuben to lighter choices like BLT and Chicken Salad, there are so many tasty combinations. The key is picking components with contrasting textures and bright, complementary flavors that interplay deliciously with the deep savoriness of the soup. With so many excellent choices, you can enjoy this soup and sandwich combo over and over without getting bored. Just break out the bread and get creative!