Warm, hearty, and ready in just 40 minutes, this Quick Cooking Mushroom Barley Soup is the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights. Packed with wholesome ingredients like tender cremini mushrooms, nutrient-rich vegetables, and quick-cooking pearl barley, this one-pot meal offers a satisfying combination of earthy flavors and nourishing goodness. Aromatic herbs like thyme and parsley elevate the broth, while an optional touch of lemon juice adds a refreshing brightness to each spoonful. This delicious soup is easy to prepare, adaptable for vegetarians and vegans, and guaranteed to become a go-to recipe for cozy lunch or dinner. Serve it piping hot with crusty bread for a complete meal thatβs both nutritious and irresistibly comforting.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and sautΓ© for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the sliced cremini mushrooms and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their moisture and shrink slightly.
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the soup to a boil.
Stir in the quick-cooking pearl barley, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper.
Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the barley is tender.
If using baby spinach, stir it into the soup in the last 2 minutes of cooking until wilted.
Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Stir in lemon juice for a bright, fresh finish, if desired.
Serve hot and enjoy your quick mushroom barley soup!
Calories |
428 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 11.8 g | 15% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.9 g | 9% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1418 mg | 62% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 70.7 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.9 g | 53% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.2 g | ||
| Protein | 15.5 g | 31% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 141 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 5.0 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 1430 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.