Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup (Printable Format)
Comforting blend of vegetables and barley simmered to provide a hearty, nourishing meal for any day.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
07 - 1 zucchini, diced
08 - 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
09 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
10 - 1 cup frozen peas
→ Grains
11 - 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed
→ Liquids
12 - 8 cups vegetable broth
13 - 1 bay leaf
→ Seasonings
14 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery stalks; cook for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Incorporate diced potatoes, zucchini, green beans, canned tomatoes with juice, rinsed pearl barley, vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Stir to combine evenly.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until barley and vegetables are tender.
05 - Add frozen peas and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It quietly sneaks a variety of veggies into your meal, which feels like sharing a secret with a friend about how to eat healthy without fuss.
- The chewy barley adds a comforting texture that turns simple soup into a filling, soul-satisfying dish you keep coming back to.
02 -
- Rinsing the barley prevents it from turning slimy and ensures a pleasantly chewy texture.
- Adding the peas only at the very end preserves their bright color and fresh snap, which lifts the whole dish.
03 -
- Slowly simmering allows flavors to meld beautifully, so resist the urge to rush this soup.
- Using homemade vegetable broth adds a depth you just can’t get from store-bought, though quality broth works well too.