Wholesome Barley and Bean Soup: Hearty Vegan Comfort in a Bowl

Barley Bean Soup Recipe

🕒 Cook Time: 2 hours
🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Description:

This Barley Bean Soup is a hearty and wholesome dish, perfect for chilly days. It’s a vegetarian delight that will satisfy even the most carnivorous of appetites! Packed with nutritious ingredients, it’s a comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to become a favorite in your household.

Recipe Category:

Grains

Keywords:

Beans, Vegetable, Vegan, Weeknight, Stove Top, < 4 Hours

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 232.1
Fat Content: 5.4g
Saturated Fat Content: 0.8g
Cholesterol Content: 0mg
Sodium Content: 387.9mg
Carbohydrate Content: 40.5g
Fiber Content: 9.1g
Sugar Content: 6.5g
Protein Content: 7.6g

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup pearl barley
2 cups pot barley
1 cup celery ribs, chopped
1 cup greens (such as spinach or kale), chopped
1 bay leaf
2 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
1 cup water
6 cups vegetable broth
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Salt, to taste
Fresh ground pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Heat the oil: In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Saute onions and garlic: Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the pot, and saute until the onions are golden brown and fragrant.
Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the pearl barley, pot barley, chopped celery ribs, chopped greens, bay leaf, diced tomatoes, and water.
Simmer: Cover the pot and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 1 hour, allowing the barley and vegetables to cook until tender.
Add beans and herbs: After an hour, add the drained and rinsed kidney beans, chopped parsley, and chopped dill to the pot.
Season to taste: Season the soup with salt and freshly ground pepper, adjusting the seasoning according to your preference.
Simmer again: Let the soup simmer for another 30 minutes over low heat, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
Serve: Serve the soup hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Optional: Stand and adjust consistency: If you have time, allow the soup to stand for an hour or so before serving. As it stands, it will naturally thicken. Adjust the consistency as desired by adding additional water, then taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
Enjoy! Serve this delicious Barley Bean Soup with crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

This recipe yields a generous amount, perfect for sharing with family and friends, or for enjoying leftovers throughout the week. It’s a versatile dish that can be customized with your favorite vegetables or beans, making it a go-to recipe for busy weeknights or lazy weekends alike. Give it a try and let its comforting flavors warm you from the inside out!