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Vegetable Barley Soup

Warm up with a bowl of Vegetable Barley Soup on those chilly days. This recipe is super easy to throw together and packed with veggies for a hearty meal. It's vegetarian-friendly, but you can add in some chicken or beef if you want to bulk it up even more.

This soup is all about comfort without the fuss. The barley adds a nice chewy texture, and the mix of vegetables gives you a rainbow of flavors in every spoonful. Plus, it's a great way to use up any veggies hanging out in your fridge or freezer.

Vegetable Barley Soup served in a white bowl.

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I love making this Vegetable Barley Soup when the weather turns cold. It's a staple in our house during fall and winter. There's something about the mix of veggies and chewy barley that just hits the spot on a chilly evening.

For this barley soup recipe, I'll toss in whatever vegetables I have on hand - zucchini, spinach, or even some chopped kale work great. The recipe is pretty forgiving, so don't worry if you don't have exactly the right amounts of each veggie.

I usually serve this soup with some crusty bread on the side for dipping in that flavorful broth. If you're feeling fancy, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top adds a nice touch.

This soup is even better the next day, so it’s perfect for meal prep, and the leftovers make great lunches throughout the week. Just remember to add a splash of water or broth when reheating, since the barley tends to soak up the liquid.

For my vegetarian friends, I keep it as is, but for my meat-loving family, I'll sometimes brown some Italian sausage or chicken and add it in. It's a delicious soup either way!

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

Ingredients to make Vegetable Barley Soup set out on the counter.
  • Olive Oil - Used for sautéing the vegetables. You can substitute it with another cooking oil if you prefer.
  • Yellow Onion - Provides a savory base flavor. Sweet onions work, too if that's what you have on hand.
  • Garlic - Adds depth to the soup. Fresh is best but jarred minced garlic works in a pinch.
  • Carrots and Celery - Classic soup vegetables that add texture and flavor. Try to chop them roughly the same size for even cooking.
  • Diced Tomatoes - Canned tomatoes work great here. They add acidity and a touch of sweetness.
  • Frozen Vegetables (Peas, Green Beans, Corn) - These add color and variety. Feel free to swap in other frozen veggies you like.
  • Vegetable Broth - The liquid base of the soup. Use low sodium if you're watching your salt intake.
  • Spices (Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning) - These bring all the flavors together. Adjust to your taste.
  • Barley - The star grain in this soup. It adds a nice chewy texture and makes the soup more filling.

How To Make Vegetable Barley Soup

Start by rinsing the barley in a fine-mesh strainer and set it aside.

Diced onion and garlic sauteed in a large pot.
Carrots, celery, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and onions in a large pot.

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once it's warm, toss in the chopped onion and garlic. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper, then cook until the onion turns translucent, about 4 minutes.

Add the carrots and celery to the pot. Sprinkle in the onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Give everything a good stir to mix it all together.

Frozen peas, green beans, corn, and diced tomatoes are added to carrots, celery, and onions in the large pot.
Vegetable broth and barley added to the vegetables in the large pot.

Add in the rinsed barley, frozen peas, green beans, and corn. Pour in the vegetable broth and add the canned diced tomatoes. Stir it all up, then cover the pot and bring the soup to a boil.

Once it's boiling, turn the heat down to low and let the soup simmer for about 15 to 25 minutes. The barley should be tender but still a bit chewy.

Vegetable Barley Soup in a large pot.

Give the soup a taste, and add more salt and pepper if needed. If it's too thick for your liking, you can add a bit more broth or water.

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve it up hot. It's great with some crusty bread on the side for dipping!

Vegetable barley soup in a large pot with a serving in a spoon.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Add meat. Brown some ground beef, Italian sausage, or diced chicken before you start sautéing the vegetables.
  • Go for a different grain. Swap out the barley for quinoa or rice if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly - quinoa cooks faster than barley, while rice might take a bit longer.
  • Try a different veggie mix. Use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Zucchini, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash are great additions or substitutions.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Freezing

Make Ahead: This soup is perfect for meal prep. You can make a big batch on the weekend and enjoy it throughout the week. It actually tastes even better after a day or two!

Store: This Vegetable and Barley Soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container. The barley will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so when you reheat it, you might need to add a splash of water or broth to thin it out.

Freeze: If you want to save some for later, this soup freezes well. Once it's cooled, portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then warm it up on the stove or in the microwave.

Recipe Tips

  • Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Aim for about 1/2-inch chunks for the carrots and celery.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add less broth initially. You can always thin it out later if needed.
  • Don't skip rinsing the barley before adding it to the soup. This removes excess starch and helps prevent the soup from becoming too thick.
  • If you're adding meat, brown it in the pot before you start sautéing the vegetables.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning at the end of cooking. The vegetables and barley will absorb some of the salt as they cook.

Can I use quick-cooking barley instead of pearl barley?

Yes, you can use quick-cooking barley, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time. Quick barley typically cooks in about 10-12 minutes, so add it later in the cooking process to prevent it from becoming mushy.

My soup turned out very thick. How can I thin it out?

Barley tends to absorb a lot of liquid as it cooks and continues to do so as the soup sits. If your soup is too thick, just add more broth or water until you reach your desired consistency. Remember to adjust the seasoning if you add more liquid.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Add all ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the frozen vegetables in the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft.

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh vegetables. Add them at the same time as the carrots and celery, and adjust the cooking time if needed to ensure they're cooked to your liking.

Vegetable barely soup in a white bowl with a spoon.

I love soup season, although we eat soup year-round. A few favorites include this Minestrone Soup, Senate Bean Soup, and Chicken and Stars Soup.

This Vegetable Barley Soup is simple to make and really satisfying. It's packed with vegetables and barley, so it's nutritious and filling. I make a big pot and enjoy it throughout the week - the flavors actually get better over time! It's an easy way to eat well and use up extra vegetables from your fridge.

Vegetable and Barley soup in a large pot.

Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe

Author: Judy Wilson
Warm up with this delicious, easy to make Vegetable Barley Soup. The mix of vegetables gives every spoonful a rainbow of flavors.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 235 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup frozen green beans
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • cups Vegetable Broth, divided
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1 cup Pearl Barley

Instructions
 

  • Rinse and drain the barley and set aside.
  • Add the olive oil to a large pot and place over medium heat. Once the oil has warmed, add the diced onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the carrots and celery and then the onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
  • Add the vegetable broth, diced canned tomatoes, barley, frozen peas, green beans, and corn. Cover and bring to a boil.
  • Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer for 15 to 25 minutes until the barley is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.

Notes

If your soup is too thick, add more broth or water until you reach your desired consistency. 
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 7gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 1504mgPotassium: 440mgFiber: 9gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 4108IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided is approximate and should only be used as a general guideline. It is an estimate that will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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Recipe Rating




Nancy Andres

Thursday 23rd of January 2025

Nice recipe for vegetable barley soup. I like it just the way it is, because I am a vegan. Lovely colors, textures, and combination of flavors in this recipe that I saw at SSPS #344.My posts are there too. Look for # 53, 54, 56, 57, and 58. Warm regards, Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health

Joanne

Thursday 23rd of January 2025

That looks delicious and perfect for these cold winter nights!

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