A hearty and comforting one-pot Vegetable Barley Soup packed with nutritious vegetables, pearl barley, and savory herbs. Perfect for cozy fall dinners and plant-based meal prep.
Author:Itssoukaina123
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:4–6 servings 1x
Category:Soup
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button)
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
6 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup pearl barley
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Salt & pepper to taste
2 cups chopped kale or spinach
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until fragrant and slightly tender.
Add mushrooms, thyme, and oregano. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Stir in diced tomatoes and pearl barley. Mix well.
Pour in vegetable broth, season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 40–45 minutes until barley is tender.
Stir in kale or spinach and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Use spinach for a milder flavor or kale for a heartier bite.
This soup stores well and tastes even better the next day — great for meal prep.
You can substitute barley with quinoa or brown rice for a gluten-free version.