Simple Mushroom Barley Soup
By Suzy Karadsheh
Category
Soup & Stew
Cuisine
Mediterranean
Servings
4
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
Hearty mushrooms, chopped vegetables, and tender pearl barley make up this simple and satisfying mushroom barley soup. As comforting as your favorite deli’s barley soup, but with even more flavor and a subtle smoky finish! Vegan and Mediterranean Diet friendly.
Ingredients
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Extra virgin olive oil
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16 oz baby bella mushrooms, cleaned well and halved or sliced
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Kosher salt
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1 yellow onion, chopped
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4 garlic cloves, chopped
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2 celery stalks, chopped
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1 carrot, chopped
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8 oz white mushrooms, cleaned and chopped
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½ cup canned crushed tomatoes
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Black pepper
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1 tsp coriander
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½ tsp to ¾ tsp smoked paprika
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½ tsp cumin
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6 cups low-sodium broth (vegetable broth or beef broth)
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1 cup pearled barley rinsed
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½ cup packed chopped parsley
Directions
In a large Dutch Oven, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add baby bell mushrooms and cook until mushrooms soften and gain some color (about 5 minutes or so). Remove from the pot and set aside for now.
In the same pot, add a little more extra virgin olive oil. Add onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and chopped white mushrooms. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper.
Now, add crushed tomatoes and spices (coriander, smoked paprika, cumin). Cook for 3 minutes or so, tossing regularly.
Add broth and pearled barley. Bring to a rolling boil for 5 minutes, then turn heat down. Cover and let simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes or until the barley is tender and cooked through.
Add the cooked baby bella mushrooms back to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes or so until mushrooms are well warmed through.
Finish with fresh parsley. Transfer to serving bowls and enjoy!
Recipe Note
- Cook’s Tip: Use pearled barley in this recipe because it does cook quicker. However, if you have hulled barley, you can use it as well. It will take a bit longer to cook (I’d budget at least 20 minutes longer).
- Cook’s Tip: If you want an even more smoky finish, add another pinch smoked paprika.
- Leftover Storage Instructions: This barley soup will keep well in the fridge for 4 days, if stored properly. Cool completely before transferring to a tight-lid glass container to refrigerate. You can freeze leftovers for later use. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat over medium heat, adding a bit more broth to help the consistency.