Hearty British Vegetable and Barley Soup
A wholesome, slow-simmered vegetable and barley soup packed with root vegetables and herbs for a warming, nourishing meal. This british-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced onion, medium, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced parsnip
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup, rinsed pearl barley
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 3 thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 medium, diced potatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 diced parsnip. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until vegetables soften and onion becomes translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 cup rinsed pearl barley, 6 cups vegetable broth, 3 thyme sprigs, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 2 diced medium potatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Continue simmering for another 20 minutes until barley and potatoes are tender.
- Step 5: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty British Vegetable and Barley Soup take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Hearty British Vegetable and Barley Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty British Vegetable and Barley Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hearty British Vegetable and Barley Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Hearty British Vegetable and Barley Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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