Vegetable Barley Soup is a great mix-up for your hearty and satisfying soup repertoire. It’s easy to make with a wonderful variety of fresh vegetables.
I have been waiting and waiting for cooler weather to get here. It is so fun to start combining this and that for stews, soups and chilies to help us feel warm from the inside out.
Well, it is not that cool here yet but I know it probably is at your house. I see pictures of people all over facebook wearing long pants, sweaters and boots so it must be that time. Right?
So I am taking advantage of the visuals and starting the fun early. We’re enjoying spoonfuls of wonderful soup right along with you.
Is Barley Soup Healthy?
Absolutely! There are whole grains and high in fiber.
Low in fats and can be free of fat is you saute your onion, garlic, and carrot in vegetable broth. Lots of with the veggies mentioned above there is also spinach, tomatoes, and bell pepper.
- Dairy Free Chunky Cauliflower Soup
- Spicy Vegan Pumpkin Soup
- Red Lentil Dahl Soup
- Homemade French Onion Soup
- Baked Potato Soup
I’d love to show you a picture of one of these soups. I was going to try to show the one that is the most popular on the blog.
They are all pretty much neck and neck so maybe I’ll choose the one that has been on the blog the longest and is still being made like crazy. Oh my gosh, it’s so good!
S0 let’s get back whole grains and fresh vegetable soup.
What Does Barley Taste Like?
Barley and pearl barley has a texture that is chewy with an almost nutty flavor and it holds it’s bite for a very satisfying soup.
Both barley’s have their hull removed but pearl barley is ‘polished’ to remove the bran layer. High in protein too.
Vegetable Barley Soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pearl Barley
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 32 ounces vegetable Broth
- 15 ounces Diced Tomatoes - can with juices
- 2 Bay Leaf
- 2 cups spinach, torn
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium pan, bring 4 cups of water and the 1 cup of barley to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the barley is soft.
- Drain and set aside.
- While the barley is cooking, heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion and saute 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, red bell pepper, and carrots and cook until the carrots are getting tender, about 10 minutes.
- Add the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes and bay leaves.
- Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked barley and the torn spinach. Cook over medium heat or 15 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves. Add salt and pepper. Taste to check the seasoning. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Can Barley Soup be Frozen?
So easily.
Just let it cool and pack in rigid sided glass freezer containers.
It will keep really well for 4 months.
Such a nice way to eat all these healthy vegetables in one bowl!
It is not that cold here either, but enough to have this wonderful soup
This is definitely a great time of the year, the change of seasons is always exciting as a cook, I love the look and sound of this soup! Yummy!!!!!
Oh YUM love this barely soup!!
This soup sounds delicious and so comforting. Perfect dinner for these crazy cold nights.
It’s funny how we wait for cold weather mainly because of the great comfort food! This one looks perfect!
It really is Aly! That is great!
Haha Angela. Hugs for you all fall and winter long!
Thank you so much! I can not wait to make it again.
Yes, I was happy eating it. 🙂
I love memories like that Lora. Thanks so much for your kind words!
This is perfect for the chill in the air – love it!
I always feel barley soup is like a hug in a bowl, so thanks for the hug! It looks amazing!
This looks great! So perfect for this cold fall weather.
This looks like a big happy bowl of comfy!
My dad used to always make barley veggie soups when the temps dropped. I am now reminded to make one soon (maybe in the slow cooker when it gets cooler). Great recipe, Ginny!
Thanks Rebecca! I love it too!
I love this season Brenda!
Wonderful Angie! I hope you get to try it soon. 🙂
That sounds so perfect Amanda! Thanks too!
Wish I was there with you Ashley and thanks!
I love our huge country and how there is different weather in so many places on one day. You must live around my neck of the woods. Thanks too for the compliment. 🙂
Oh my goodness. I adore vegetable barley soup. It’s one of my favourite winter/fall dishes. This looks grand!
A perfect fall soup!
Vegetable Barley Soup is so, so good! I’ve only used Vegetable Barley Soup mixes but I can’t wait to make this from scratch!
I want this soup so bad right now! Put on my slippers and sip on this hot veggie and barley soup!
It’s sooo cold here in NY today so I’m definitely in soup mode!!! Looks great!
Still super hot where I am, but soup time will be here before you know it. Barley is so underused! This is perfect.