Vegetable Barley Soup

Vegetable Barley Soup is packed with vegetables and barley in a tomatoey broth that's both healthful and soul-satisfying!

0 minutes

Ingredients

salt
1 cup pearled barley
3 tablespoons olive oil ((divided))
1 medium onion (finely chopped)
2 stalks celery (finely chopped)
3 medium carrots (finely chopped)
1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper (chopped)
1 small zucchini (diced)
1 small yellow squash (diced)
1 15 bean mix (10-ounce) angel hair coleslaw (or approximately 3 cups finely shredded cabbage)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
6 cups vegetable, chicken or beef broth (or more if needed)
2 cups tomato or vegetable juice
1 can (14.5-ounce) petite diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
¼ cup fresh parsley
freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt to the water, add the barley and boil until the barley is tender but still al dente. Drain through a sieve and set aside.
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven or large pot. Add the onion, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often 5-6 minutes or until onion begins to soften. Add the celery and carrots and cook another 5-6 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook 2 minutes,
Add zucchini, yellow squash, coleslaw mix, garlic, broth, juice, tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover slightly and simmer until vegetables are tender, approximately 25-30 minutes. Add the barley, parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as desired.