Heart-Healthy Gerstensuppe (Swiss Barley Soup)

Warm, nourishing, and delightfully wholesome, Heart-Healthy Gerstensuppe (Swiss Barley Soup) is a comforting classic reimagined for a healthy lifestyle. This vegetarian soup is brimming with nutrient-rich pearl barley, hearty vegetables like carrots, celery, zucchini, and potato, and fragrant herbs such as thyme and fresh parsley. Simmered in a base of low-sodium vegetable broth, it achieves a perfect balance of savory flavor and light, health-forward appeal. Packed with fiber, plant-based goodness, and heart-friendly olive oil, this dish is as satisfying as it is nutritious. Ready in just over an hour, it’s the ultimate one-pot meal for cozy weeknight dinners or meal prep. Serve it steaming hot and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a rustic Swiss-inspired dish that’s sure to warm both the body and soul. Search no further for your next go-to healthy comfort food!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 150 grams Pearl barley
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• 2 medium Carrot, diced
• 2 stalks Celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 liters Low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 large Potato, peeled and diced
• 1 medium Zucchini, diced
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the pearl barley under cold running water until the water runs clear, then set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion, diced carrot, and diced celery to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in the low-sodium vegetable broth and add the rinsed barley to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 7

Add the diced potato and zucchini to the pot. Stir, cover, and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the barley and vegetables are tender.

Step 8

Stir in the chopped parsley, dried thyme, ground black pepper, and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 9

Remove from heat and let it sit for a few minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 10

Serve the soup hot, garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2494.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1241.9

Total Fat 31.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2262.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 219.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 36.2g	0%
Total Sugars 24.0g
Protein 24.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 306.3mg	0%
Iron 9.1mg	0%
Potassium 4233.8mg	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: 22.4%

Protein: 7.8%

Carbs: 69.8%