Vegetable Barley Soup
Pearl barley simmered for 50 minutes with carrots, celery, onion and leeks in a savoury vegetable broth. Six servings in 1 hour.
Make Ahead and Storage
Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freezes for 3 months. Thin it with water when reheating.
How to Make Vegetable Barley Soup
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Heat the oil and soften the onion, carrots, celery and leek for 8 minutes.
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Add the barley, stock and bay leaves and simmer for 50 minutes, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much.
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Remove the bay, season and stir in the parsley.
A Few Pointers
- Rinse the barley.
- Add water if it gets too thick.
- If your hob runs hot, check at 40 minutes.
- Season at the end.
Some Background
Barley turns a thin broth into a meal. The grains swell as they cook, soaking up flavour and releasing starch, so the soup thickens as it simmers.
Rinse the barley first. This removes loose starch and dust and keeps the broth clear. Pearl barley cooks in about 45 minutes, which suits the vegetables.
Soften the onion, carrots, celery and leek in oil for 8 minutes, then add the barley and stock. Add more water as it cooks, because the barley keeps drinking, and the soup can turn to stew if left.
Simmer for 50 minutes, until the barley is tender with a slight chew and the vegetables are soft. If your hob runs hot, check at 40 minutes. Season at the end, with plenty of black pepper and a spoon of parsley. The soup thickens a lot overnight, so thin it with water when you reheat. Leftovers make a good lunch, and the flavour improves on the second day.
What to Put Next to It
Crusty bread · Cheddar · Buttered toast · Green salad
Questions About Vegetable Barley Soup
How long does Vegetable Barley Soup take to make?
About 1 hour in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 50 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Vegetable Barley Soup?
Rinse the barley. Add water if it gets too thick. If your hob runs hot, check at 40 minutes. Season at the end.
What should I serve with Vegetable Barley Soup?
Crusty bread; Cheddar; Buttered toast; Green salad.
Can Vegetable Barley Soup be made ahead or frozen?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freezes for 3 months. Thin it with water when reheating.
Is Vegetable Barley Soup suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
Vegetable Barley Soup Nutrition Facts
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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