Wonderful Mushroom Barley Soup

Cozy up with a bowl of Wonderful Mushroom Barley Soup, a hearty, nutrient-packed dish that’s brimming with earthy flavors and vibrant vegetables. This rich, plant-based soup combines tender button and cremini mushrooms with pearl barley for a satisfying texture, while aromatic thyme, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce create an irresistible depth of flavor. Simmered to perfection in a robust vegetable broth, the soup is finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Perfect as a comforting weeknight meal or a make-ahead lunch, this wholesome barley soup is both filling and flavorful, served best with a slice of crusty bread to soak up every last drop. Ideal for vegetarian and vegan diets, it’s a timeless recipe that brings warmth to any season.

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 10 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 0.75 cup pearl barley
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the diced yellow onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 4

Add the sliced button mushrooms and cremini mushrooms to the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the mushrooms release their liquid and begin to brown slightly.

Step 5

Stir in the pearl barley, ensuring it is well-coated with the vegetable mixture.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable broth and add the bay leaf and fresh thyme leaves. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the barley is tender.

Step 8

Stir in the soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve the soup piping hot with crusty bread on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2523.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1597.1

Total Fat 44.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 7090.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 256.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 55.6g	0%
Total Sugars 47.3g
Protein 63.3g	0%

Vitamin D 51.0IU	0%
Calcium 421.8mg	0%
Iron 15.3mg	0%
Potassium 5701.5mg	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: 23.7%

Protein: 15.1%

Carbs: 61.2%