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Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup

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Vegetable Barley Soup is a nutritious, hearty, and comforting dish made with fresh vegetables, tender barley, and flavorful spices. This one-pot meal is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a great choice for digestion, immunity, and heart health

  • Author: Ely Rechard
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup pearled barley (or hulled barley for more texture)
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 2 carrots (chopped)
  • 2 celery stalks (sliced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 medium potatoes (diced)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz diced tomatoes)
  • 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Seasonings & Herbs:
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped (for garnish))
  • Optional Additions:
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup chopped spinach or kale
  • 1 can (15 oz chickpeas for extra protein)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  3. Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  4. Step 2: Add Barley and Broth
  5. Stir in barley, diced potatoes, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
  6. Add bay leaves, paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  7. Step 3: Simmer the Soup
  8. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
  9. Cover and simmer for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender.
  10. Step 4: Final Touches & Serving
  11. Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning if needed.
  12. Stir in parsley, peas, or spinach if using, and cook for 5 more minutes.
  13. Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad.

Notes

🔥 For a Spicier Version: Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes.
🍄 For a Creamier Soup: Stir in ½ cup coconut milk at the end.
🥩 For a Meat Option: Add shredded chicken or ground turkey.

Nutrition