Homemade Mixed Vegetable & Barley Soup

We have a rule for soups around here: they cannot be boring.

They must have texture. And they must be bursting with flavor. And they’ve gotta be filling.

So when you start questioning whether or not a vegetarian soup suggestion really makes the cut…let me tell you, the ones here are absolutely worthy of a comforting dinner.

And if you love a delicious dinner soup recipe, you’ve gotta try our hearty root vegetable soup and broccoli cauliflower cheddar soup, too!

And this chunky vegetable soup? Well, it checks all the boxes, plus it’s economical and super dietary-friendly. It’s not only vegetarian, but it’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and super customizable! It makes enough for 6 substantial-sized servings, and freezes beautifully!

What is Barley?

Barley is a hearty short whole grain that has a chewy texture and is a good source of many nutrients, making it a healthy addition to soups, stews, and grain salads.

Barley comes in several forms, and for this recipe it’s important to use pearled barley which is dehulled, meaning the outer hull has been removed for faster cooking and easier digestion.

You can find pearl barley in the grain section of your grocery store near the rice and dried beans. It’s budget-friendly too, and shouldn’t cost more than a couple of dollars for an entire bag.

Do I need to Soak or Cook the Barley?

In this vegetable soup, you do not need to soak or precook the barley, as long as you’re using pearl barley. The barley simply cooks with the soup ingredients and does not require soaking.

Barley Substitutions

If you can’t find pearl barley or would like to substitute it with another grain already in your pantry, you can do so.

Try farro or wheat berries for an alternate hearty grain. Quinoa or rice can also be added, or even a small pasta like orzo or ditalini.

Be sure to take note of the cooking time if you are substituting with a different grain or pasta, as it will vary!

Additional Vegetable Soup Ingredients

In addition to pearl barley, there are a whole lot of vegetables in this soup. You can absolutely substitute the vegetables you have on hand, too, noting different cook times below.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this version of barley veggie soup:

• Mirepoix: a mixture of diced onion, carrot, and celery, which gives the soup a lovely, flavorful base.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: I recommend using this variety of potatoes because they require no peeling with their tender, waxy skin and hold their texture when simmered in soup. You could substitute russet potatoes if needed.
• Garlic: of course!
• Tomato Paste: provides a rich umami-ness to the soup.
• Spices, Salt, and Pepper: adding a little dried basil and oregano (you could also use an Italian Herb blend), white pepper for kick, and bay leaf for depth
• Chopped Fresh Parsley: adds brightness
• Diced Tomatoes: a traditional vegetable soup would be amiss without tomatoes!
• Vegetable Stock: the base liquid of the soup, it adds a lot of flavor to the soup, so I don’t recommend using water. You can also use a bullion base to make the stock if needed.
• Frozen Veggies: I like adding frozen corn, peas, and green beans for additional texture and heartiness.

Vegetable Substitutions

Feel free to mix and match the vegetables as mentioned, and here are some guidelines for the veggies I recommend:

• Leeks in addition or in place of yellow onion.
• Mushrooms: add with the mirepoix and allow the mushrooms to release most of their liquid before continuing with the other veggies.
• Parsnip: add with the potatoes – they’ll need longer to cook.
• Butternut Squash: add with the mirepoix as it will take longer to cook. Make sure it’s diced small and even for the most efficient cooking.
• Zucchini or Yellow Squash: add with the spices and saute a minute before adding the tomatoes.
• Kale or Spinach: wilt either in the soup towards the end of the cooking process. Kale will take a little longer to wilt than spinach.
• Beans: I would use canned beans for ease. Feel free to add chickpeas (garbanzo) beans, white beans, black beans, or even kidney beans. All add an extra boost of protein!

Note: when adding additional vegetables or using an alternate grain, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid you use. If you are adding a substantial amount of additional vegetables, you will definitely need to add more broth.

How to Make Chunky Vegetable Soup

This dinner soup recipe is really easy to make and all comes together in one pan (ah, the beauty of homemade soup!).

Barley can take a while to cook depending on how it’s simmered or boiled in the broth. I have had it at the perfect al dente chewiness point at 15 minutes, and other times it’s taken about 25 minutes on a lower simmer.

So that being said, this soup does come together in 40 minutes or less depending on the barley. You can’t argue with all the hands-off cooking time though!

Saute the Mirepoix

First, start by sauteeing the mirepoix mixture of onion, celery, and carrots in olive oil. As always, I recommend adding a pinch of salt to begin layering in the flavor, which also helps bring out the flavor in the veggies, especially as they “sweat”.

I also like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for depth, and a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper. This is definitely on a preference basis!

Add the Vegetables

Continue layering in the vegetables. Next go the diced potatoes, as they take a little longer to cook. Then add in the garlic, herbs, and spices. Stir in the tomato paste and allow it to cook for a minute to develop a deep, rich flavor.

Then stir in the diced tomatoes along with their juice, vegetable stock, and barley. Stir until it’s combined, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover, cooking for about 20-25 minutes (sometimes as quick as 15 or up to 30 depending on your simmer) until the barley is tender, yet still chewy.

Add the frozen vegetables once the barley is almost cooked, and simmer for a minute or two until they are heated through. Stir in the fresh parsley, and as always, be sure to taste test for the salt level (adding salt throughout the cooking process!).

Remember, the beauty of making soup at home is that you can adjust the flavor and consistency to your preferences. If you prefer it even thinner, just add more vegetable stock to the soup.

What to Serve with Soup

My all-time favorite thing to serve with soup is thick, crusty bread. If you’re lucky to have homemade sourdough bread on hand, don’t skip it! Otherwise homemade flatbread or socca is a delicious pairing, and cornbread with whipped honey butter would also be delicious.

For a super comforting combination, try these thyme and parmesan drop biscuits or garlic herb dinner rolls.

Storage and Freezing Barley Soup

To store leftover soup, place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It does thicken as it cools, so to reheat I recommend adding additional water or vegetable stock, then reheating in the microwave or stovetop.

To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container with room for expansion – or use Souper Cubes for even easier freezing and thawing! Again, you may need to add additional liquid when reheating depending on your preferences. Thaw in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!

More Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipes

• Green Lentil and Vegetable Soup
• Root Vegetable Soup
• Creamy Vegetable Soup with Dumplings
• Mushroom Gnocchi Soup with Wild Rice
• 30-Minute Tortilla Soup

Need even more delicious soup ideas? Check out our collection of vegetarian soup recipes!