Description
Vegetable Barley Soup is a hearty, comforting dish featuring vegetables, pearl barley, and savory broth, making it a filling and nutritious meal that’s perfect for any time of the year.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon butter
1 onion, diced
½ cup pearl barley
14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 large potato, cubed (or sweet potato)
1 carrot, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
8 cups beef broth or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté the Onion: Heat butter in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until it becomes slightly tender.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a 6-quart slow cooker, add the sautéed onion, pearl barley, canned diced tomatoes with juice, cubed potatoes (or sweet potato), chopped carrot, chopped celery, thawed corn kernels, and green bell pepper. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and add the bay leaf.
- Add the Liquids: Pour the balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and broth into the slow cooker. Stir everything to combine.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the barley is tender.
- Finishing Touches: Discard the bay leaf, then season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and replace Worcestershire sauce with a vegetarian alternative.
- If you’re out of fresh veggies, you can replace them with 2 cups of frozen vegetables for an even easier option.
- Swap the pearl barley with quinoa, rice, pasta, or lentils, but keep in mind cooking times may vary.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes (7-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high)
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
