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Hearty Homemade Barley Soup (Cozy & Healthy Dinner Idea)
Amanda Peterson

Hearty Homemade Barley Soup

Warm up with this comforting, nutrient-dense barley soup. This plant-forward meal features a robust base of aromatic onions, garlic, and fresh vegetables simmered with chewy pearled barley. Naturally alcohol-free and pork-free, this fiber-rich soup is the perfect healthy dinner for the whole family, providing sustained energy and deep Mediterranean flavors in under an hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large carrots, chopped
  • 2 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 8 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can (28oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup pearled barley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup frozen green beans
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, then stir in the garlic for one minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the chopped carrots and potatoes to the pot, stirring to coat them.
  4. Pour in the vegetable broth and the diced tomatoes, then stir in the barley, basil, and oregano.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the barley is tender.
  6. Stir in the frozen green beans, corn, and peas, cooking for 5 additional minutes.
  7. Remove from heat, stir in fresh lemon juice, season with black pepper, and serve hot garnished with parsley.

Notes

To cook in a slow cooker, combine all ingredients except the frozen vegetables and lemon juice; cook on low for 6-8 hours, adding the frozen vegetables during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.