California Pizza Kitchen's Dakota Smashed Pea Barley Soup

Warm, hearty, and packed with wholesome goodness, California Pizza Kitchen’s Dakota Smashed Pea Barley Soup is a comforting blend of rustic flavors and nourishing ingredients. This vegetarian soup features protein-rich dried split peas and nutty pearl barley, simmered to perfection with aromatic vegetables like carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in a savory vegetable broth. Fresh thyme and parsley add a burst of herbal freshness, while a hint of lemon juice brightens the dish with a zesty finish. The soup’s unique texture—achieved by partially pureeing to balance creaminess and chunkiness—makes it a satisfying meal on its own or a perfect pairing with crusty bread. With just a 15-minute prep time and simple, plant-based ingredients, this recipe is an ideal choice for a cozy, nutritious dinner that’s both easy and delicious. It’s a must-try crowd-pleaser for pea soup and barley lovers alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Dried split peas
• 0.5 cup Pearl barley
• 2 medium Carrots
• 2 Celery stalks
• 1 medium Yellow onion
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 6 cups Vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 4 sprigs Fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 2 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried split peas and pearl barley under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.

Step 2

Peel and dice the carrots. Chop the celery stalks, onion, and garlic cloves into small pieces.

Step 3

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables become soft and fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the rinsed split peas and pearl barley, ensuring they are well-coated with the oil and vegetables.

Step 5

Pour in the vegetable broth and water, and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 6

Add the salt, ground black pepper, and fresh thyme sprigs. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 50-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Check the split peas and barley for tenderness. If necessary, add more water or broth to maintain your desired soup consistency.

Step 8

Remove the thyme sprigs from the soup. Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup for a creamy texture, leaving some chunks for heartiness. Alternatively, transfer a portion of the soup to a blender, puree it, and return it to the pot.

Step 9

Stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2576.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1959.2

Total Fat 44.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5920.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 316.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 91.6g	0%
Total Sugars 50.7g
Protein 90.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 513.6mg	0%
Iron 21.0mg	0%
Potassium 5703.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.7%

Protein: 17.9%

Carbs: 62.4%