Three-Grain Vegetable Soup
A comforting soup packed with seasonal vegetables and a trio of grains, simmered to perfection. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs vegetable broth, medium, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 small, diced onion
- 1/2 cup barley
- 1/2 cup farro
- 1/4 cup quinoa
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 cup barley, 1/2 cup farro, 1/4 cup quinoa, and 1 cup diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes until grains are tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup fresh spinach and cook for 2 more minutes until wilted.
- Step 4: Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Three-Grain Vegetable Soup take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Three-Grain Vegetable 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 vegetable broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Three-Grain Vegetable 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 Three-Grain Vegetable 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 Three-Grain Vegetable 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
