Rustic Vegetable and Barley Soup with Herbs
A hearty and nourishing soup combining tender barley, fresh seasonal vegetables, and fragrant herbs simmered to perfection. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs pearled barley, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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
- 3/4 cup pearled barley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried sage
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 diced carrots. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften and onions are translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 3/4 cup pearled barley and toast it in the pot for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices and 6 cups vegetable broth. Add 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried sage, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until barley is tender.
- Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley just before serving for a fresh herbal note.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Vegetable and Barley Soup with Herbs 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 Rustic Vegetable and Barley Soup with Herbs?
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 pearled barley from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Vegetable and Barley Soup with Herbs?
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 Rustic Vegetable and Barley Soup with Herbs 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 Rustic Vegetable and Barley Soup with Herbs 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.
