Easy Vegetable Soup with Barley (Healthy & Hearty!)

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings | Difficulty: Easy

Warm up with the most comforting, nutritious bowl of Vegetable Soup with Barley (or Farro) that’s packed with wholesome ingredients and incredible flavor! This hearty soup combines tender barley or farro with a rainbow of fresh vegetables—carrots, celery, bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach—all simmered in a savory tomato-herb broth that’s both satisfying and good for you. Each spoonful delivers nutty grains, tender-crisp vegetables, and aromatic herbs like thyme, oregano, and cumin that create layers of flavor. What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility and nutritional power. Both barley and farro are ancient whole grains rich in fiber, protein, B vitamins, and minerals that support heart health and digestion. The abundance of colorful vegetables provides vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients your body craves. Perfect for meal prep, this soup actually tastes better the next day as flavors meld together! Whether you’re looking for a meatless Monday option, need a healthy lunch to pack for work, or want a cozy dinner on chilly evenings, this vegetable barley soup delivers every time. It’s naturally vegan (or easily made so), budget-friendly using pantry staples, and can be customized with whatever vegetables you have on hand. Serve with crusty bread, top with a dollop of sour cream or crumbled feta, and enjoy a bowl of wholesome comfort!

Why You’ll Love This Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe

• Incredibly nutritious – whole grains, vegetables, fiber, and protein
• Budget-friendly – uses affordable pantry staples and seasonal veggies
• Perfect for meal prep – tastes even better the next day
• Customizable – use barley or farro, swap veggies based on what you have
• Naturally vegan – plant-based, dairy-free comfort food
• Freezer-friendly – make big batches and freeze for easy meals

If you love healthy soups, you’ll also want to try our Lentil Soup and Minestrone Soup.

What You Need for Vegetable Barley Soup

Essential Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil – for sautéing vegetables
• 1 small onion, diced – aromatic base
• 1 clove garlic, minced – adds depth of flavor
• 2 carrots, diced – adds sweetness and color
• 2 celery stalks, diced – classic soup vegetable
• 1 bell pepper, diced – any color; adds crunch and vitamins
• 1 zucchini, diced – tender vegetable addition
• 1 cup barley or farro, rinsed – hearty whole grain base
• 1 cup tomato sauce – creates savory broth
• 5 cups water – or vegetable broth for extra flavor
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme – earthy herb
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano – Mediterranean flavor
• 1 teaspoon cumin – warm, aromatic spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt – or to taste
• 2 cups fresh spinach – wilted in at the end
• Juice of 1/2 lemon – brightens flavors (optional)

How to Make Vegetable Soup with Barley (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Sautéing the Aromatic Base

1. Heat oil (2 minutes): Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat until shimmering.
2. Sauté aromatics (3 minutes): Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until they begin to soften.
3. Add garlic (1 minute): Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant.

Step 2: Adding Vegetables

4. Add bell pepper and zucchini (5-7 minutes): Stir in bell pepper and zucchini. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften.

Step 3: Building the Soup

5. Add grains and liquids (2 minutes): Stir in barley or farro, tomato sauce, and water.
6. Add seasonings (1 minute): Add dried thyme, oregano, cumin, and salt. Stir to combine.
7. Bring to boil (5 minutes): Increase heat and bring mixture to a boil.

Step 4: Simmering

8. Simmer covered (25-30 minutes): Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer until barley or farro is tender and flavors have melded. Stir occasionally.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

9. Add spinach (3-5 minutes): Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
10. Add lemon juice (1 minute): Squeeze in juice of half lemon for brightness (optional).
11. Adjust seasoning: Taste and add more salt if needed.
12. Serve: Ladle into bowls and enjoy!

Expert Tips for Perfect Vegetable Barley Soup

• Pre-cooked grains save time – use pre-cooked farro from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods for 10-minute cook time
• Water vs. broth – water works beautifully and reduces sodium; broth adds extra flavor
• Thicken if desired – blend portion of soup and stir back in for creamier texture
• Don’t skip lemon – brightens all flavors and adds freshness
• Customize vegetables – add potatoes, green beans, peas, or whatever you have

Easy Vegetable Soup with Barley (or Farro)

Hearty, healthy vegetable soup with barley or farro, packed with fresh veggies and herbs. Perfect nutritious meal ready in 45 minutes!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Servings 6 servings

Calories 173 kcal

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Ladle
• Immersion blender (optional for thickening)

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for sautéing
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 2 carrots diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 1 bell pepper diced – any color
• 1 zucchini diced
• 1 cup barley or farro rinsed if necessary
• 1 cup tomato sauce from jar
• 5 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme earthy herb
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano Mediterranean flavor
• 1 teaspoon cumin warm spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 2 cups fresh spinach wilted in at end
• 1/2 lemon juice only – for brightness

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 3 minutes or until they soften. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Add diced bell pepper and zucchini. Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften.
• Add barley or farro, tomato sauce, water, dried thyme, oregano, cumin, and salt. Stir to combine.
• Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until barley or farro is tender and flavors have melded. Stir occasionally.
• Stir in fresh spinach and cook for 3-5 minutes until spinach wilts. Add juice of half lemon for brightness if desired.
• Taste and adjust salt as needed. Ladle into bowls and enjoy!

Notes

Time-Saver: Use pre-cooked farro from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods for 10-minute cook time instead of 25-30 minutes. Thickening Tip: Blend portion of soup with immersion blender and stir back in for creamier texture without dairy. Storage: Refrigerate up to 5 days. Soup tastes better the next day! Freezing: Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge. Reheating: Add splash of water or broth as grains absorb liquid over time. Customizable: Add white beans, chickpeas, or cooked chicken for protein. Swap vegetables based on what you have. Dietary: Naturally vegan and dairy-free. Contains gluten from barley/farro.

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How to Store and Serve Vegetable Barley Soup

Storage: Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Soup tastes even better the next day!

Freezing: Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.

Reheating: Reheat gently on stove over low heat, adding splash of water or broth if soup has thickened. Grains absorb liquid over time.

Serving suggestions: Serve with crusty bread, whole grain crackers, or cornbread. Top with dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta cheese, or nutritional yeast for vegan option.

Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe Variations

• Add protein – stir in white beans, chickpeas, or cooked chicken for extra protein
• Different grains – substitute quinoa, brown rice, or wild rice
• Italian style – add Italian seasoning and finish with Parmesan cheese
• Spicy version – add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeño
• Creamy option – stir in splash of coconut milk or heavy cream at the end

For more healthy grain-based recipes, check out our Farro Salad and Barley Risotto.

FAQ About Vegetable Barley Soup

Final Thoughts on This Vegetable Barley Soup

This Easy Vegetable Soup with Barley (or Farro) is the definition of wholesome comfort food. Packed with nutritious whole grains, colorful vegetables, and aromatic herbs, it delivers both incredible flavor and genuine nourishment in every bowl. What makes this soup so special is how it proves healthy eating can be absolutely delicious and satisfying. The chewy barley or farro provides heartiness, the variety of vegetables adds vitamins and texture, and the savory tomato-herb broth brings everything together beautifully. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners, meal prep Sundays, or filling your freezer with ready-made meals, this soup is as practical as it is tasty. It’s budget-friendly, uses simple ingredients, and can be customized based on what’s in your pantry or fridge. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just trying to eat more plant-based meals, this vegetable barley soup delivers comfort and nutrition without compromise. Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest boards and follow us on Pinterest for more healthy soup recipes!