Mushroom Barley Soup Slow Cooker

Warm, hearty, and irresistibly comforting, this Mushroom Barley Soup made in the slow cooker is the ultimate recipe for cozy days. Bursting with earthy flavors from tender mushrooms, nutty pearl barley, and aromatic herbs like thyme and parsley, this vegan-friendly soup is a wholesome, hands-free meal that couldn't be easier to prepare. Sautéed vegetables like onion, carrots, and celery build a rich, savory base, while the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, melding flavors together over hours of gentle simmering. Perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd, this nourishing soup is ready to serve with minimal effort and pairs beautifully with crusty bread. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch and enjoy a bowl of comfort that feels as good as it tastes! Keywords: mushroom barley soup, slow cooker soup, vegan soup recipes, easy slow cooker recipes, healthy soups.

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:380 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 16 ounces mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini)
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Cook for another 5 minutes, until the mushrooms release their liquid and begin to brown.

Step 4

Transfer the sautéed vegetables and mushrooms to your slow cooker.

Step 5

Add the pearl barley, vegetable broth, dried thyme, dried parsley, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker.

Step 6

Stir everything together to combine.

Step 7

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The barley should be tender, and the flavors well-combined.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf and give the soup a quick taste test. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Step 9

Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3032.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1926.4

Total Fat 48.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 7155.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 321.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 68.6g	0%
Total Sugars 53.8g
Protein 72.4g	0%

Vitamin D 45.4IU	0%
Calcium 534.3mg	0%
Iron 18.9mg	0%
Potassium 6651.4mg	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: 21.8%

Protein: 14.4%

Carbs: 63.8%