Warming Barley and Vegetable Soup

Cozy up with a bowl of Warming Barley and Vegetable Soup, a hearty, nutrient-packed recipe perfect for chilly days and nourishing weeknight dinners. This wholesome soup is brimming with vibrant vegetables—carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, and celery—infused with the earthy flavors of thyme and a touch of garlic. Chewy pearl barley adds a comforting texture and makes this dish satisfyingly filling. Simmered in a rich vegetable broth with a hint of tomatoes, each spoonful offers a medley of robust flavors. Ready in under an hour, this one-pot wonder is as easy to make as it is delicious. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish, and enjoy this classic vegetarian soup that’s ideal for meal prep or sharing with loved ones.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 cup button mushrooms, sliced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 1 14-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Add the diced carrots, celery, zucchini, and mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 5

Pour in the vegetable broth and add the rinsed pearl barley, canned diced tomatoes, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and ground black pepper.

Step 6

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender and the vegetables are fully cooked.

Step 7

Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 9

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2849.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1425.6

Total Fat 55.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.3g
Cholesterol 7.9mg	0%
Sodium 6533.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 202.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 46.2g	0%
Total Sugars 54.8g
Protein 44.7g	0%

Vitamin D 14IU	0%
Calcium 571.2mg	0%
Iron 15.7mg	0%
Potassium 5735.4mg	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: 33.4%

Protein: 12.0%

Carbs: 54.6%