This Slow Cooker Vegetable Barley Soup recipe couldn’t be easier. Just throw everything in the crockpot and walk away! Healthy, delicious and packed with nutrients. 164 calories and 4 Weight Watchers SP
This slow cooker vegetable barley soup saved me on more than one occasion. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve sat on the sidelines of my son’s soccer game on windy, blustery days. We barely noticed the weather while the game is on – cheering and living vicariously through every kick, pass and tackle will do that. But once we’re on our way home, all I can think of is a hot bowl of soup.
Truth be told, any of our favorite soup recipes would do. My son would vote for his favorite Pesto Turkey Tortellini Soup and my husband would opt for something like my Chicken and Rice Soup (Instant Pot).
But there is something really appealing about throwing all of the ingredients into a crockpot before the game and coming home to a piping hot, ALREADY COOKED batch of soup. Just serve and eat!
What kind of vegetables are in a vegetable barley soup?
The beauty of a crockpot vegetable soup like this is that you can throw almost any vegetable into the mix, substituting your favorites for any of the ingredients listed. Use what’s already in your fridge or freezer – frozen vegetables are great for slow cooker soups – so that you don’t have to make a separate trip to the store. I used sweet potato, carrots, onion, frozen green beans, celery and canned tomatoes, along with a scoop of pearl barley. If some of those ingredients don’t float your boat, feel free to make substitutions.
If I’m eating this for a light lunch, I’ll typically serve it alongside some whole grain crackers and hummus for an added boost of protein. You could also add beans, shredded rotisserie chicken or sautéed beef to make a more hearty dinnertime meal for your family.
Does vegetable barley soup freeze well?
This recipes makes a ton of soup (11 cups), which makes it ideal for eating then freezing. Meals for days!
Allow the soup to cool, then transfer it to freezer safe containers, such as these glass ones (affiliate link). Freeze the soup for up to 3 months.
When ready to eat, defrost the soup in the refrigerator, then gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
Other healthy vegetarian recipes:
Vegetable Curry Quinoa Bowls {Cookin’ Canuck}
Whole Wheat Gnocchi with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce {Cookin’ Canuck}
Easy Vegetable Soft Tacos {Cookin’ Canuck}
Healthy Veggie Rolls {Little Broken}
Vegan Jambalaya {Simple Vegan Blog}
Slow Cooker Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 2 carrots cut into 1/2-circles
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1 medium sweet potato peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 1/2 cups frozen green beans
- 3/4 cup pearl barley
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 14 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients, except for the parsley, in a large (6-quart) slow cooker.
- Cook on LOW until the barley is tender, about 8 hours.
- Stir in the parsley. Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post originally published on January 6, 2016 and updated on January 27, 2020.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Blanca
I just made this. I can’t wait to eat on Sunday after long day working outside. Thank for the recipe . I’m going to make this again .
Sincerely Blanca
Kaitlin Kerin
Absolutely delicious! This might be one of the best soups I ever tried, and it’s packed with flavour. I made it before bed, and my house smelled so good in the morning! It is a little on the salty side when using bouillon cubes for the stock, so I might reduce the added salt to 1/4 tsp next time.
Rufina Kutsar
Very tasty soup! Made it a few times. Thank you for the recipe
Maxine Rose
I plan to make this tomorrow. I have golden beets and was thinking of adding them and eliminating the sweet potato (I don’t like them). What do you think of the golden beet flavor being added? I usually roast them, but I think they should cook just as well in the soup. Your thoughts?
Thank you
Dara
To be honest, I’ve never tried beets in a slow cooker soup, but the flavors would probably work.
Ellynn
This was wonderful! A real keeper – easy, forgivable, and delicious!
Ivy Antonio
I only have smoked paprika can I still use it?
Dara
Smoked paprika has a fairly bold flavor, so will change the overall flavor of the soup a bit, but it should still work.
Kaitlin Kerin
I used smoked paprika and it turned out great!
Kim H
Yum! Family loved it – didn’t have any sweet potatoes but used zucchini from the garden instead.
Michelle
My husband declared “best Barley Soup EVER!”
Renee
Can I use a stock pot and cook on the stove top?
Dara
Absolutely! I suggest sauteing the onion, carrot and onion in some olive oil, then adding the garlic and herbs/spices. Add the water, broth and tomatoes, bring to a boil, then add the barley. It will take 45 to 55 minutes for the barley to become tender at a simmer. I suggest adding the green beans in the last 10 minutes so they don’t overcook.
Miranda
This looks delicious! Do you think it would all freeze well, if I combined all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag, then thawed and cooked at a later date?
Dara
Hi Miranda – Honestly, I’ve never tried that. Let me know if you give it a shot.
Gina
This recipe is perfect. I made it for my elderly grandfather who has difficulty chewing food and is in need of nutrition and fiber. He loved it and he is so picky too. I portioned it and froze several servings for him. I’m making another batch today just for me.
Ellen
Thank you so much for this delicious recipe. I made the soup today and love it. I think next time I will add some beans at the end as you suggested. I’ll definitely make this again!
Kathy
I made this today and it was easy as promised. I chopped my vegetables last night so I could just dump it in this morning. The soup is very good. I’ll definitely make this again, maybe adding some different vegetables like zucchini. Thanks for this great recipe.
Dara
That’s great to hear, Kathy! Switching up the veggies is a great idea – I often just use what I have on hand.
Nicole Johnson
We made this for dinner last night and really enjoyed it. It was so easy to make! Thank you for the recipe.
Dara
Hi Amy, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. The mixture should be simmering, so be sure to check that and adjust the temperature, if needed. The barley should take 50-60 minutes to become tender. The chicken should be sauteed and seasoned with salt and pepper first, then added in at the end. I hope you enjoy it!
Chantal
Do I include the juice in the canned tomatoes in the recipe or do I drain it? Please let me know!
I’m making this recipe today! 🙂
– Chantal
Dara
Hi Chantal, you do indeed include the juices in the can. I hope you enjoy the soup!
Sara
If I don’t have 8 hours, can I cook it on high for 4 hours? Or even the stove top?
Dara
Hi Sara, I haven’t tried it on high in the slow cooker, so am hesitant to give you a time for that. However, you can definitely cook it on the stovetop. It typically takes 45 to 50 minutes for barley to become tender when simmered (after bringing to a boil).