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Vibrant close-up of a hearty vegetable and barley soup garnished with fresh parsley.

Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup: A Wholesome & Easy Recipe

This hearty vegetable barley soup is packed with nutritious vegetables, chewy barley, and savory herbs. Perfect for cozy meals, it's budget-friendly, meal-prep ready, and customizable with your favorite ingredients.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 lb carrots (about 4), peeled and diced
  • 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
  • 1 russet potato (about 3/4 lb), peeled and diced
  • 1 cup pearled barley
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • salt, to taste
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup frozen green beans
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Method
 

  1. Prep Aromatics: Dice onion and mince garlic.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Add Base Ingredients: Add diced carrots, canned tomatoes (with juice), pearled barley, dried basil, oregano, and black pepper.
  4. Add Broth: Pour in vegetable broth and stir to combine.
  5. Simmer: Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes.
  6. Add Potatoes: Add diced russet potato and continue simmering for another 10 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
  7. Add Frozen Veggies: Stir in green beans, corn, and peas. Simmer 5 more minutes until heated through.
  8. Finish Soup: Stir in lemon juice, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes

Swap russet potatoes for sweet potatoes or parsnips. Add lentils or chicken for extra protein. Pearled barley cooks faster, while hulled barley needs more simmer time. Stir in spinach at the end for extra greens.