Quick Barley Soup

Warm up with a comforting bowl of Quick Barley Soup, a hearty and nutritious recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights. This wholesome soup comes together in under an hour, combining tender pearl barley, vibrant diced vegetables, and aromatic herbs like thyme and parsley in a rich vegetable broth. A medley of pantry staples like canned diced tomatoes and garlic ensures a robust flavor profile without the fuss, while a touch of fresh parsley adds a burst of color and freshness to every bowl. Easy to prepare and full of fiber, this one-pot soup is both satisfying and nourishing, making it an ideal go-to for a quick family dinner or cozy lunch.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrot, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 14-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 0.75 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the vegetable broth and add the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice).

Step 5

Stir in the rinsed pearl barley, dried thyme, dried parsley, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Check the barley for tenderness. If it needs more time, simmer for another 5–10 minutes.

Step 8

Once the barley is tender, remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 9

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2284.4 grams (2284.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1259

Total Fat 53.60g	69%
Saturated Fat 9.90g	50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.30g
Cholesterol 8mg	3%
Sodium 6381mg	277%
Total Carbohydrate 168.90g	61%
Dietary Fiber 36.90g	132%
Total Sugars 43.40g
Protein 35.50g	71%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 474mg	36%
Iron 14mg	77%
Potassium 4253mg	90%

*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: 37.1%

Protein: 10.9%

Carbs: 52.0%