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Home » Lunch

Published: Nov 5, 2018. Post Updated: Feb 7, 2025

Home » Lunch

Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup

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This Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup is delicious, nutritious and nourishing. I know it isn't quite winter yet but this morning it sure felt like it.

This soup is great for colder days and it feels like a real hug in a bowl.

Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup in a bowl with 2 gold soups at side

Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup

This Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup is inexpensive, packed full of vegetables and is incredibly nourishing and tasty.

The Barley adds a chewy texture that makes this soup super hearty.

A big bowl of steaming hot soup filled with your favourite vegetables and grains screams cosy.

As the pearl barley simmers with the vegetables, it thickens the broth and gives it a creamy texture which i just love.

Eat it with crusty bread with a little butter.

This is a Soup that we had on a Naturopathy Course that I was on and I have adapted it over the years to suit our taste.

Check out this meat version that I made for the blog a couple of years ago. 

Nutrition

The recipe is incredibly simple and extremely healthy.

It contains lots of fiber from the lentils and barley, antioxidants from the garlic, as well as vitamins and minerals from the other vegetables.

Ingredients in Pearl Barley Soup

Here’s what goes in this Veggie Pearl Barley Soup:

  • Pearl barley – Pearl Barley has a earthy, nutty flavour and chewy texture.
  • Vegetable stock – Use a good quality stock to make for the most flavourful soup.
  • Dry Herbs, Garlic, Ginger and Ground Spice – Cumin, Fennel, Ground Coriander, Thyme, Garlic, Ginger, Salt makes a really tasty soup.
  • Veggies - Onions, Carrots, Potatoes, Celery and Mushrooms. You can add any Veg that you like! Just remember to adjust cooking times.

How to make Pearl Barley Soup

Rinse the Barley, then drain.

Heat the oil then add the vegetables. Saute for 5 minutes.

Celery on a board

Veg added to pot

Add Bay Leaves, Cumin, Thyme, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Salt and Pepper. Cook until fragrant.

Garlic, Ginger and Spices added to pot with wooden spoon

Add Barley and Stock. Simmer 40 minutes.

Pearl Barley added to pot

How to store Pearl Barley Soup

The Barley continues to absorb the stock as it rests so you may need to top it up but it does keep well in an airtight in the fridge for 3 days.

Can it be frozen?

This is a soup that freezes well, and you can reheat it in the microwave or gently in a pot on the stove. It is great for food prep too because you can make a large quantity,  refrigerate leftovers and enjoy over the course of a few days, or you could freeze individual portions to take into work to heat up for a workday lunch.

More Soup Recipes:

Pumpkin Ginger Soup

Creamy Chicken, Orzo and Mushroom Soup

Serve with:

Easiest No Knead Bread Recipe

**if you make this recipe, please rate/comment below. we love to hear from you and seeing your creations makes our day – safira

Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup in a bowl with 2 gold soups at side

Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup

This Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup is delicious, nutritious and nourishing. I know it isn't quite winter yet but this morning it sure felt like it.
This soup is great for colder days and it feels like a real hug in a bowl.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 55 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Lunch
Cuisine british
Servings 4
Calories 282 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g Pearl Barley rinsed
  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil extra virgin
  • 1 Onion diced
  • 1 large Carrot peeled and diced
  • 2 sticks Celery diced
  • 150 g Mushrooms white, sliced
  • 2 small Potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 1 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
  • ½ teaspoon Dry Thyme
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 4 cloves Garlic crushed
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger Paste Optional
  • 1 ¾ litre Vegetable Stock
  • Salt and Pepper

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the Barley, then drain.
  • Heat the oil then add the Onion, Carrot, Celery, Mushrooms and Potatoes. Saute on medium low for 5 minutes.
  • Add Cumin, Fennel, Thyme, Fennel, Bay Leaves, Garlic, Ginger. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes over low heat.
  • Add Barley and Stock. Simmer for 40 minutes. Season to taste.

Notes

How to store Pearl Barley Soup

The Barley continues to absorb the stock as it rests so you may need to top it up but it does keep well in an airtight in the fridge for 3 days.

Can it be frozen?

This is a soup that freezes well, and you can reheat it in the microwave or gently in a pot on the stove. It is great for food prep too because you can make a large quantity,  refrigerate leftovers and enjoy over the course of a few days, or you could freeze individual portions to take into work to heat up for a workday lunch.

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 7gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 43mgPotassium: 457mgFiber: 10gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3132IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Pearl barley soup, Veg pearl barley soup
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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hey...I’m safira! I share accessible Global Recipes as well as Baking recipes for home cooks. One of my passions is to teach home cooks to become more confident in the kitchen and this comes with time and experience.

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