Description
This hearty Mushroom Barley Soup features tender pearl barley and savory mushrooms simmered in a rich broth with aromatic vegetables and herbs, delivering a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Grains
- 1 cup pearl barley
Liquids and Fats
- 2 tbsp butter
- 6 cups beef or vegetable broth
Seasonings
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and sliced mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the mushrooms have released their moisture, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add garlic and barley: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the pearl barley, stirring to coat the grains with butter and vegetables for about 1 minute.
- Combine broth and thyme: Pour in the beef or vegetable broth, then sprinkle in the thyme. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the barley is tender and the soup has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and ensure butter is substituted with a plant-based alternative if desired.
- You can add a handful of fresh parsley or dill as garnish for added flavor and color.
- To speed up cooking, soak barley in hot water for 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like peas or spinach towards the end of cooking for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
