Here’s a hearty and nutritious barley soup recipe that’s easy to make and perfect for a cozy meal:
Hearty Barley Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup pearled barley
- 1 lb (450 g) beef stew meat or chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (optional for meat version)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the barley:
- Rinse barley under cold water and set aside.
- Cook the meat (if using):
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Brown the meat on all sides, then remove from pot and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables:
- In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Combine ingredients:
- Add barley, browned meat (if using), diced tomatoes, broth, thyme, oregano, and bay leaves.
- Stir to combine.
- Simmer:
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
- Simmer 40–50 minutes, until barley and vegetables are tender.
- Season and serve:
- Remove bay leaves.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Tips
- For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and use vegetable broth.
- Barley absorbs a lot of liquid, so check consistency and add more broth or water if needed.
- Add chopped greens like spinach or kale in the last 5 minutes for extra nutrition.
I can also give a slow cooker version of barley soup that you can dump in the morning and have ready for dinner.
Do you want me to give that version?
