Quick Tomato Barley Soup

Warm, hearty, and bursting with flavor, Quick Tomato Barley Soup is the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights or chillier days. This easy-to-make recipe combines vibrant crushed tomatoes, tender pearl barley, and a medley of aromatic vegetables like carrots, celery, and onion to create a nourishing and satisfying meal. Infused with dried herbs like oregano and basil, and rounded out with a hint of garlic, this soup offers wholesome ingredients and rich flavors in every spoonful. Ready in under an hour, it's ideal for meal prep and serves up to six, making it a crowd-pleaser that’s both healthy and filling. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a final pop of color and freshness. Whether you're seeking a quick vegetarian dinner or a cozy lunch option, this barley soup delivers comfort, simplicity, and deliciousness all in one bowl.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 leaf 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 and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced carrots and celery, and cook for another 5 minutes until slightly softened.

Step 5

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth, and stir well to combine.

Step 6

Add the rinsed pearl barley, dried oregano, dried basil, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender.

Step 8

Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2681.3 grams (2681.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1295

Total Fat 43.40g	56%
Saturated Fat 7.20g	36%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.90g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5962mg	259%
Total Carbohydrate 201.80g	73%
Dietary Fiber 41.30g	148%
Total Sugars 52.80g
Protein 39.30g	79%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 492mg	38%
Iron 17mg	94%
Potassium 5195mg	111%

*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: 28.8%

Protein: 11.6%

Carbs: 59.6%