Description
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
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
- Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add Barley and Broth
- Stir in barley, diced potatoes, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
- Add bay leaves, paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 3: Simmer the Soup
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender.
- Step 4: Final Touches & Serving
- Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Stir in parsley, peas, or spinach if using, and cook for 5 more minutes.
- 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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 220