As many beef cubes as your family likes.
I boil them for about 2-3 minutes.
Then I rinse them to get rid of all that yukky stuff.
Put back in pot & add 1 nice size onion.
Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of barley & 1 can of tomatoes.
Add enough water to cook.  Cook until barley is almost done.
Add 4-6 cans of mixed veggies & 1 can of tomato sauce.
Cook for about 1/2 hour.

If you invite Bridgette she eats Campbell's veggie soup.