Heart-Healthy Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup

Indulge in the comforting, wholesome flavors of our Heart-Healthy Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup, a nourishing recipe perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or meal prepping. This hearty yet nutritious soup combines earthy cremini or button mushrooms with tender pearl barley, creating a fiber-rich base that's both filling and satisfying. Brightened with aromatic garlic, onions, carrots, and celery, and seasoned with dried thyme and a hint of black pepper, this dish boasts layers of savory goodness in every bite. Simmered in low-sodium vegetable broth, this recipe keeps your sodium intake in check without sacrificing flavor. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this warm, soul-soothing soup is not only easy to prepare in under an hour but also packed with plant-based goodness to support your health. Perfectly suited for vegetarians and vegans, this one-pot wonder makes six generous servings and pairs wonderfully with a slice of crusty whole-grain bread.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 16 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup dry pearl barley
• 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown.

Step 4

Stir in the dry pearl barley, vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, ground black pepper, and salt. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a boil.

Step 5

Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for 35 minutes. Stir occasionally until the barley is tender and the flavors are well combined.

Step 6

Remove the bay leaf from the soup before serving.

Step 7

Garnish each bowl with chopped fresh parsley for added flavor and freshness.

Step 8

Serve hot, and enjoy this heart-healthy dish with your loved ones.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2720.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1350.6

Total Fat 33.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2419.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 235.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.8g	0%
Total Sugars 36.9g
Protein 40.5g	0%

Vitamin D 45.4IU	0%
Calcium 388.0mg	0%
Iron 11.2mg	0%
Potassium 4944.4mg	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: 21.3%

Protein: 11.6%

Carbs: 67.2%