Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with the warm, inviting aroma of a hearty soup that practically cooks itself! This Slow Cooker Vegetable Barley Soup is not just a meal, it's a culinary experience that combines convenience, nutrition, and incredible flavor in one pot. Perfect for busy weekdays or cozy weekend meals, this recipe promises to be your new go-to comfort food that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the pearl barley under cold water to remove any debris and drain thoroughly.
- Prepare your vegetables by washing and dicing the carrots, celery, and onion into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Mince the garlic cloves finely to help distribute their flavor evenly throughout the soup.
- Add the pearl barley, diced tomatoes, chopped vegetables, and minced garlic into the slow cooker.
- Pour the vegetable broth over the ingredients, ensuring all components are submerged.
- Sprinkle dried thyme and basil over the mixture, then add salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir all ingredients gently to combine and distribute seasonings evenly.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat setting for 6 hours.
- After 6 hours, check the soup's consistency. If too thick, add a little more vegetable broth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving hot.
Tips
- Barley Preparation: Always rinse pearl barley thoroughly to remove any dust or debris, which can affect the soup's final taste and texture.
- Vegetable Cutting: Cut vegetables into uniform, small pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the soup.
- Seasoning Strategy: Add herbs like thyme and basil at the beginning of cooking to allow their flavors to fully infuse into the broth.
- Liquid Management: Keep an eye on the liquid level during cooking. If the soup looks too thick, don't hesitate to add a bit more vegetable broth.
- Final Touch: Taste and adjust seasonings just before serving. Sometimes a little extra salt or pepper can elevate the entire dish.
- Storage Tip: This soup freezes beautifully! Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months for a quick future meal.
- Customization: Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or spinach to make the soup even more nutritious and colorful.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
