Hearty Vegetable and Barley Soup with Fresh Dill
A nourishing soup featuring tender barley, seasonal vegetables, and a burst of fresh dill for a satisfying meal. This mediterranean-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced carrot, stalk, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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 carrot
- 1 stalk, diced celery
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup, diced zucchini
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large carrot, diced, 1 celery stalk, diced, and 1 medium onion, diced, and cook for 8 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 garlic cloves, minced, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup pearl barley and cook for 2 minutes to toast the grains, then pour in 4 cups vegetable broth.
- Step 4: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until barley is tender.
- Step 5: Add 1 cup diced zucchini and 1 cup diced tomatoes, and cook for 10 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2 more minutes to meld flavors.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Vegetable and Barley Soup with Fresh Dill take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Vegetable and Barley Soup with Fresh Dill?
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 Vegetable and Barley Soup with Fresh Dill?
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 Vegetable and Barley Soup with Fresh Dill 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.
What goes well with Hearty Vegetable and Barley Soup with Fresh Dill?
Mediterranean soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
