Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup

Warm, comforting, and packed with earthy flavors, this Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup is the ultimate one-pot meal to nourish your body and soul. Featuring tender cremini mushrooms, wholesome pearl barley, and a savory blend of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs like thyme and rosemary, this soup strikes the perfect balance between healthful and hearty. The umami-rich addition of soy sauce enhances its depth of flavor, while a garnish of fresh parsley adds a pop of brightness to each bowl. Ready in just over an hour, this veggie-forward recipe is ideal for meal prep or cozy family dinners. Whether you're craving a plant-based comfort dish or looking for a satisfying soup that tastes even better the next day, this recipe delivers with every spoonful.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 16 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are soft and released their moisture.

Step 4

Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute to release the flavors of the herbs.

Step 5

Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 6

Once boiling, add the rinsed pearl barley and bay leaf to the pot.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for about 45 minutes, or until the barley is tender.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf, add the soy sauce, and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 9

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2929 grams (2929.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1459

Total Fat 47.30g	61%
Saturated Fat 8.00g	40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.40g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 8182mg	356%
Total Carbohydrate 219.30g	80%
Dietary Fiber 43.20g	154%
Total Sugars 49.60g
Protein 59.10g	118%

Vitamin D 45IU	227%
Calcium 456mg	35%
Iron 16mg	91%
Potassium 6028mg	128%

*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: 27.7%

Protein: 15.4%

Carbs: 57.0%